Solving difficulties and problems of Ban Mong Reservoir Project

On July 12, in Thanh Hoa, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Hoang Hiep chaired the Steering Committee meeting to implement the project "Ban Mong Reservoir Phase 1, Nghe An Province".

Attending the conference were comrades: Le Duc Giang - Vice Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee; Nguyen Van De - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee and relevant departments and branches.

Progress of Ban Mong reservoir phase 1 is still slow.

The Ban Mong Reservoir Project Phase 1, Nghe An Province was approved by the Prime Minister to adjust the investment policy in Decision No. 1248/QD-TTg dated October 26, 2023; the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development approved the adjustment of the investment project in Decision No. 532/QD-BNN-XD dated February 7, 2024.

Up to this point, regarding the clearance of the reservoir bed, Quy Hop district has completed the elevation of +71.86m, Nghia Dan district has completed the elevation of +71.86m, Quy Chau district has completed the elevation of +71.86m. The bridge project on National Highway 48 through the reservoir channel is 98% complete.

Sub-dams 1, 2 and 3, sub-dam No. 2 has been completed, only sub-dam No. 1 and No. 3 still have the volume of construction to be closed. The total investment for the compensation, resettlement, site clearance and pumping stations from Hieu River component is 2,948.5 billion VND. By 2023, 1,878.6 billion VND has been arranged and disbursed.

However, the project adjustment work is still facing difficulties and obstacles. Specifically, the consulting work is facing many difficulties in surveying, investigating the current status, calculating hydraulics and hydrology to choose suitable construction options, especially the solution to handle the Chau Binh drainage canal slope. Currently, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Project Management Board and the consulting contractor are proposing technical solutions for handling.

Project adjustment work must go through many procedures, so it takes a lot of time to review and synthesize. In addition, component adjustment goes through many steps, many levels of departments and branches according to correct procedures and regulations.

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Nguyen Van De - Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee pledged to direct departments, branches and localities to ensure the allocation of sufficient irrigation land for project implementation. At the same time, organize a review of all project items, especially the plan to handle landslides in Chau Binh drainage canal to complete the adjustment dossier.

Direct the re-establishment of the detailed construction progress of the project, promptly resolve difficulties and obstacles to ensure the completion of the project according to plan. Review the organization of the Project Management Board; assign specific tasks to each relevant organization and individual to carry out each part of the work.

Comrade Nguyen Van De also requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to pay attention to helping remove difficulties and obstacles, quickly resolve procedures to speed up project implementation progress.

For Thanh Hoa province, the work contents and budget for implementing the Compensation, Support and Resettlement Component in Nhu Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province have been supplemented, with a total estimated budget of nearly 517 billion VND. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Thanh Hoa province was assigned as the investor of the component.

However, during the implementation process, there are still some problems related to legal procedures for appraisal and approval of component projects. Thanh Hoa province also requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to take measures to resolve them so that they have a basis for planning and implementing the next steps.

Resolutely remove difficulties and obstacles

Concluding the conference, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Hoang Hiep emphasized: The Ban Mong Reservoir Project is a national key project. To complete the project as planned before December 31, 2025, localities must be proactive and determined in directing the implementation.

In particular, Thanh Hoa province urgently adjusts and ensures the allocation of sufficient irrigation land according to the total demand for project implementation in July 2024.

Regarding the “Compensation and resettlement support component project in Nhu Xuan district under the Ban Mong Reservoir Project, Phase 1, Nghe An province”, Thanh Hoa province is requested to detail the resettlement area, assign the Department of Construction Management to appraise and report to the Ministry for approval of the project. Based on the capital allocated by the Central Government, the allocated funding structure can be adjusted but the total amount will not be changed.

Propose that the People's Committee of Nghe An province direct and issue a plan for the project implementation schedule to ensure water storage and commit to completing phase 1 of the project by the end of 2025. Focus on directing strongly, allocating resources, and promptly removing difficulties in project implementation.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development commits to provide sufficient funding according to the progress and needs of localities so that the project can be implemented on schedule. The Irrigation Construction Investment Management Board 4 coordinates with Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces, design consultants, contractors to prepare the site, the plan to block the flow, the plan and schedule for construction to overcome the flood to ensure the progress of blocking the flow according to plan.

Regarding the progress and quality of project implementation, on June 24, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued Decision No. 1896/QD-BNN-XD on the establishment of the Steering Committee for the implementation of the Ban Mong Reservoir Project, Phase 1, Nghe An province.

The Steering Committee consists of 14 members, headed by Mr. Nguyen Hoang Hiep - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Mr. Le Duc Giang - Vice Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee and Mr. Nguyen Van De - Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee.

The Head of the Steering Committee when signing documents is allowed to use the seal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; the Deputy Head and members when signing documents to perform their duties are allowed to use the private seal of that unit or locality./.