Resolutely resolve the situation of encroachment on roadsides for business purposes and illegal toll collection

(Baonghean)One of the issues that has recently received public attention is the situation where some market management boards illegally collect fees, which becomes an act of assisting in business violations on sidewalks and roads in Vinh City market areas.

The situation of encroachment on the road and sidewalks for business and trading is common in all wards and communes of Vinh City, especially in markets located between residential areas. For example, on Hong Son Street in Hong Son Ward, there are dozens of umbrellas stretched up, set up haphazardly, sellers and buyers, people standing and sitting haphazardly, happening every day. The loud sound of car horns mixed with the calls to buy and sell creates a chaotic scene in the middle of the road.

Also around Vinh market area, many branch roads of Nguyen Canh Chan, Ta Cong Luyen, Cao Thang, Phan Dinh Phung... are being blatantly encroached by many households on the roadside and sidewalk to do business, making the circulation of goods and vehicles in this area very difficult. Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha, a resident of Hong Son ward, was upset: "We have repeatedly reported to the local authorities through meetings with voters of People's Council delegates at all levels and National Assembly delegates, but this situation still recurs."

One of the hot spots of sidewalk encroachment for business has existed for a long time on the road along National Highway 1A in Hamlet 13B, Nghi Kim Commune. In this area, there are dozens of households selling bread encroaching on the sidewalk. It is worth mentioning that because it is located on National Highway 1A, the traffic volume and traffic participants are very large, the fact that the bread vendors with umbrellas are stretched up, obstructing the view causes traffic insecurity, and the risk of accidents is very high. Also on this road, Quan Banh market is considered a hot spot for sidewalk encroachment, sidewalks for business, market holding, obstructing traffic and causing frustration for the people. Public opinion has reflected many times to the government and the media, but this situation still occurs commonly.

So what is the root cause of this situation? To be able to trade on the sidewalk every day, these households have to pay a sum of money to the market management unit. The problem here is that some markets collect illegal market fees, which becomes an act of assisting the violations of people doing business on the sidewalk, roadway causing traffic disorder and urban beauty.



Market on Nguyen Sy Sach Street (photo taken at 4:03 p.m. on May 19, 2013).

In recent years, Vinh City has invested in building markets in the area such as Coi market, Phong Toan market, Texco new market, Cau Thong market... to solve the business space for small traders, helping people manage their goods more securely. Although some new markets have been invested in and built, local authorities have not yet taken strong measures to expel and relocate street markets and street vendors to planned areas.

Mr. Bui Nguyen Toan - Standing Member of Vinh City People's Council said: "The collection of fees in all forms by the Market Management Board is against the regulations and is an act of assisting violations of encroachment on corridors and roads for business of the people. This issue has been reflected by many voters of wards and communes of Vinh City. Vinh City People's Council has compiled the recommendations of voters of wards and communes in the area and assigned relevant departments and branches to be responsible for responding. This content will be questioned at the upcoming 6th session of the 20th City People's Council".

The encroachment of sidewalks and roadside for business and trading at markets in Vinh City has not been completely eliminated, which is a prominent issue in urban order management in Vinh City. Immediately ending the illegal collection of money and rectifying the activities of the Market Management Board in Vinh City is the affirmation of the city government leaders. The government has given strong direction, and the functional agencies have also joined in, but after each campaign to handle violations, everything goes back to the way it was. That is the question that public opinion is asking. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the roles and responsibilities of local authorities and related units, in order to have effective handling and resolution.