Tuong Duong district and 5 hydropower units discuss and build coordination regulations

So far,Xiangyangis still one of the 74 poor districts in the country in the period of 2021-2025. As of May 31, 2022, the number of poor households in the district accounted for 39.38% with 7,176 households, 30,982 people; the number of near-poor households accounted for 17.28% with 3,149 households, 13,697 people. The whole area also has more than 2,700 families living in temporary, dilapidated houses; the number of workers without stable jobs is more than 10,000 people.

Working session between Tuong Duong District People's Committee and 5 hydropower units on the afternoon of June 14, 2022. Photo: Nhat Lan

Tuong Duong district has 5 hydroelectric plants in operation, including:Ban Ve Hydropower Plant(320MW), Khe Bo Hydropower Plant (100MW), Nam Non Hydropower Plant (20MW), Ban Ang Hydropower Plant (17MW) and Xoong Con Hydropower Plant (15MW).

In the past time, there has been a connection and coordination between the District People's Committee and hydropower investors to handle existing problems, as well as to carry out social security work. In 2021 and the first 6 months of 2022, hydropower units have supported a total amount of 933.9 million VND. Of which, the Fatherland Front Committee of Tuong Duong district directly received 485 million VND, including: Ban Ve Hydropower Company supported Tet for the poor with 320 million VND; Khe Bo Hydropower Company supported Tet for the poor with 125 million VND and supported Covid-19 prevention and control with 10 million VND; Xoong Con Hydropower Company supported Tet for the poor with 30 million VND. The remaining support amount, 448.9 million VND, was directly handed over by hydropower units in the area to the communes.

The Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Tuong Duong district received financial support from Ban Ve Hydropower Company. Photo: Linh Chi

However, according to the assessment of the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district, there are still many problems from hydropower plants that have not been completely resolved, especially the two hydropower plants Ban Ve and Khe Bo. Specifically, aboutcThe slow implementation of compensation, resettlement support, and site clearance has led to public frustration. Compensation and site clearance during the construction of urgent projects has led to inaccurate records, leading to complaints and lawsuits.

Coordination in the operation and propaganda process is still limited; the operating regulations of the plants as well as the implementation of commitments are not correct such as cleaning the reservoir bed, periodically dredging the reservoir bed; social security work is not commensurate with the revenue of hydropower plants...

Collecting waste from Khe Bo hydropower reservoir. Photo: Nhat Lan

To solve existing problems, do a good job of social security, especially promptly handle sudden and urgent problems that come to the people, according to the Chairman of the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district, Mr. Phan Duc Son suggested that it is necessary to build a regulation on coordination between the People's Committee of the district and hydropower units. In particular, it is necessary to build a fixed fund from the contributions of hydropower units to handle urgent situations that unfortunately happen to the people.

Mr. Luong Ba Vin - Head of the Mass Mobilization Committee, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Tuong Duong district informed about the results of social security work from hydropower units and gave opinions at the meeting. Photo: Nhat Lan

According to hydropower units, in recent years, due to harsh weather conditions, prolonged droughts often occur, the electricity output of hydropower units has decreased; revenue is lower than planned. However, hydropower units are aware of the responsibility of enterprises located in the area to carry out social security work. Therefore, they agreed to build a regulation on coordination between the District People's Committee and hydropower units and participate in contributing to the fund.

Mr. Ta Huu Hung - Director of Ban Ve Hydropower Company spoke at the meeting. Photo: Nhat Lan

Representatives of the leaders of Ban Ve, Khe Bo, Ban Ang, Nam Non, and Xoong Con hydropower plants all agreed on the need to establish a fund to solve unexpected problems for the people. It was proposed to develop a draft regulation and send it to the hydropower plants for comments, so that they could sign and implement it together. Regarding the establishment of the fund, the comments focused on the legality of the fund in order to name it correctly, taking into account fairness in contributions between hydropower units, and at the same time specifying the use of the fund.

Mr. Dang Trong Hai - Deputy General Director of Nghe An Energy Development Corporation spoke at the meeting. Photo: Nhat Lan

Concluding the meeting, Chairman of Tuong Duong District People's Committee Phan Duc Son agreed to assign relevant professional departments to develop a coordination regulation between Tuong Duong District People's Committee and 5 hydropower units. The regulation will clearly show the responsibilities of Tuong Duong District authorities and relevant commune authorities; show the responsibilities of hydropower units; and specifically show the fund establishment, contribution methods of each hydropower plant as well as the use of funds from the fund.

“The People's Committee of Tuong Duong district will urgently develop a draft regulation. When completed, the draft will be sent to hydropower units for comments. After that, the People's Committee of the district will complete it, organize a signing ceremony and put it into practice from 2023,” emphasized Chairman of the People's Committee of Tuong Duong district, Phan Duc Son.