Consequences of hydropower 'heat up' the People's Council of Nghe An province

"Strong measures needed for hydropower"

On the afternoon of July 10, the discussion session of group 5 of the provincial People's Council delegates in the area of ​​3 districts Con Cuong, Tuong Duong, Ky Son was very lively. Here, most of the opinions talked about the serious consequences that hydropower plants have caused to the people of these 3 districts as well as Nghe An in general.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hai - Secretary of Tuong Duong District Party Committee said that although Nghe An provincial leaders have taken drastic measures in recent times, the problem of resolving the consequences and backlog of hydropower is still very large. "We have talked a lot, the consequences of hydropower are very large. Now, not only do we release floodwaters during flood season, but we also release them when there is no flood. Discharges that are not in accordance with the procedure cause people to die", Mr. Hai expressed his indignation and said that the authorities need to take strong measures.

The discussion session of group 5 was very exciting. Photo: Tien Hung

According to Mr. Hai, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued a circular stipulating that small hydropower plants must relocate a few households before they can be approved for construction. "Some plants have therefore "circumvented the law" by incorrectly assessing their environmental impact, in order to relocate fewer households, both to be approved for implementation and to save costs when relocating," Mr. Hai said, adding that it is necessary to review the environmental impact assessment work at hydropower plants.

“Hydropower plants have a huge impact on infrastructure, causing many roads to be washed away and damaged, and if no solution is found, this will continue in the future. Now, local authorities with hydropower plants are worried every time hydropower plants release floodwaters, while almost every day there are complaints from people related to hydropower plants,” said the Secretary of the Tuong Duong District Party Committee, requesting that competent authorities promptly approve adjustments to the inter-reservoir operation plan, and at the same time approve plans to prevent and combat floods...

Mr. Nguyen Van Hai speaks at the group discussion. Photo: Tien Hung

Sharing the same opinion with Mr. Hai, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hoang - Chairman of the People's Committee of Ky Son district said that the district leaders are also having a "big headache" because of the hydropower plants. In particular, in Ky Son district, there are 2 hydropower projects that have been "suspended planning" for nearly 10 years, seriously affecting the lives of the people. While the locality has repeatedly requested to stop this project, the Ministry of Industry and Trade still does not agree.

“We are wondering whether these two hydropower projects can be implemented and when they will be completed. Or will they just be put on hold forever? Do we not have any solutions? People living in the suspended planning are currently suffering because they are not receiving infrastructure investment,” Mr. Hoang said indignantly.

In addition, during the 2018 storm, when Ban Ve Hydropower Plant stored water, the water level rose and flooded houses in My Ly Commune. Then the hydropower plant suddenly released a strong flood, causing 19 houses to slide into the lake. But then the hydropower plant refused to compensate despite repeated requests from the government.

“The households were not included in the environmental impact assessment, but when the water was stored, their houses were flooded and damaged. We have repeatedly worked with the hydropower plant as if begging for help, but to no avail. It must be made clear that this is not support but compensation, and is the responsibility of the hydropower plant,” the Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ky Son district said harshly.

Mr. Phan Duc Son - Chairman of the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district said that although he had just come to Tuong Duong to work for half a year, he also clearly saw the heavy consequences of hydropower. Meanwhile, compensation work was being implemented slowly. "I met with people twice a month, and most of them had questions about compensation work related to hydropower, while it was not under the authority of the district. Regarding Khe Bo Hydropower Plant alone, I worked twice and raised 26 large and small issues to resolve, with a deadline to fully hand over to the hydropower plant and related agencies, but it was still slow," said Mr. Son.

"If the process is correct but still causes damage, then there is a problem with the process"

Speaking at the group discussion, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Thong said that the damage caused by the recent floods was too great and the main cause certainly came from hydropower plants. "The Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee has worked with us many times and our viewpoint is to resolutely say no to the development of new hydropower projects," said Nguyen Van Thong, adding that the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee also strictly requested that hydropower plants, local authorities and relevant agencies take responsibility for the damage caused to people after the floods.

Comrade Nguyen Van Thong participated in the speech. Photo: Tien Hung

“After inspection, the hydropower plants discharged flood water according to the process. But why did the process cause such great damage? That shows that the problem lies in the process,” said comrade Nguyen Van Thong.

Believing that "the hydropower operation process has problems", the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee has requested the Provincial People's Committee and relevant agencies to adjust the flood water storage plan of the plants in the area and send it to the central ministries and branches for approval. However, up to now, the adjustment has not been approved. "If there is no action, there is a risk that in the next few months, when the rainy season comes, people will continue to live in the open air", the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee said and requested that local authorities and relevant agencies have a clearer and more resolute attitude towards hydropower. There must be strong measures, based on legal responsibility, to require hydropower to be responsible for the damage caused.

In addition, at this group discussion session, delegates also focused on hot issues that Nghe An Newspaper has reported recently. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Hung - Secretary of Con Cuong District Party Committee warned about the laxity in land reclamation work, creating deadly traps such as the recent drowning of 5 students in Yen Thanh District, and at the same time requested the Provincial People's Committee to direct enterprises to be serious in this work.

Meanwhile, Secretary of Tuong Duong District Party Committee Nguyen Van Hai expressed concern about the landslides in mountainous districts, especially in Pha Khao village (Mai Son commune), which disrupted people's lives, as reported by Nghe An Newspaper more than a month ago.

Child drowning warning

(Baonghean.vn) - Statistics from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs show that on average, every year from 2010 to 2015, about 3,000 children in Vietnam drowned. By 2016, the number of children who died from drowning was 2,110 cases.