JICA Vietnam will support Nghe An province to build important projects.

On the morning of January 7, the Provincial People's Committee had a working session with the delegation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Office in Vietnam on cooperation orientation in the coming time.

Attending the meeting were Mr. Shimizu Akira, Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam and members of the delegation.

On the side of Nghe An province, there was comrade Hoang Nghia Hieu - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. Also attending were comrade Nguyen Van De - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, leaders of Vinh City and related units.

Overview of the working session. Photo: Quang An

At the meeting, comrade Nguyen Van De - Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported on the progress of the project to restore and upgrade the system.Northern IrrigationNghe An. The project was approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with a total investment of over 5,700 billion VND. This is an important project, responsible for providing water for nearly 29,000 hectares of agricultural land and domestic water for districts in the area.

Although the project has not been completed yet, it has been effective and highly appreciated by the local authorities. In particular, the quality of the project is closely monitored to ensure high quality and aesthetics. The stable irrigation area has been increased, saving water, and the water supply time is faster to ensure timely irrigation for the crop season...

Comrade Nguyen Van De - Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported on the progress of the project to restore and upgrade the Northern Irrigation System. Photo: Quang An

In order to fully utilize the surplus capital and maximize the effectiveness of the project (the project completion date is July 2023), the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development respectfully requests all levels to consider, approve and speed up procedures to implement the phase of using surplus capital in a timely and effective manner.

The Department also recommends the sideJICA Vietnaminterested in supporting investment in the project to restore and upgrade the Southern Nghe An irrigation system, this is the second largest irrigation system in the province with an irrigation area equivalent to the Northern irrigation system that is being invested in.

Dien Thanh culvert - the main item in the project to restore and upgrade the Northern Nghe An irrigation system implemented from Japanese ODA loans. Photo courtesy of Phu Huong

Exchange at the working session, leadersVinh citysaid: In recent times, Nghe An province has always been heavily affected by natural disasters and floods, especially in the rainy season. In Vinh city, flooding always occurs on the roads, causing a lot of material damage and affecting people's lives. Currently, according to statistics, the whole city has 7 areas that are frequently flooded and many roads are always in a state of severe flooding.

Comrade Le Sy Chien - Vice Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee said that flooding is a concern of the city's residents during the rainy season. Photo: Quang An

Therefore, the Vinh City People's Committee hopes that JICA Vietnam will coordinate and research to develop a comprehensive flood prevention plan for the city so that the city can implement it, invest systematically and effectively, and avoid waste. The city also hopes that JICA will invest in a number of projects using flood prevention technology in Japan so that it can learn and replicate it in the future.

In addition, leadershipVinh CityIt is also recommended that JICA connect and promote cultural and educational exchanges between Vinh City and Japanese provinces and cities to further strengthen friendship.

In addition, some opinions proposed support in teaching Japanese; training and fostering Japanese teachers in Nghe An province; research and support for investment projects to build Japanese universities or vocational colleges in Nghe An to train human resources to serve both sides in the future...

Mr. Shimizu Akira, Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam, spoke at the meeting. Photo: Quang An

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Shimizu Akira - Chief Representative of JICA in Vietnam expressed his pleasure to return to visit and work with Nghe An province - the hometown of President Ho Chi Minh, patriot Phan Boi Chau. He had worked in Nghe An 8 years ago when starting the project to restore and upgrade the Northern irrigation system and was very happy to return to witness the results of the project.

Regarding the province's proposals, Mr. Shimizu Akira said that the use of surplus capital immediately after the project ends according to the provisions of Vietnamese law, JICA will have official approval, and support the surplus capital to build project items if deemed really necessary. However, he hopes that the investor and Nghe An province need to coordinate with relevant ministries and ministerial-level agencies to speed up the procedures before the Agreement ends in 2023.

With the proposal to upgrade the Southern Irrigation System, theJICAsaid that it will research, learn and discuss with the investor, the province also needs to work with the Central Ministries and branches to consider prioritizing the implementation of this project.

Comrade Hoang Nghia Hieu -Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee hopes that JICA Vietnam will continue to support and accompany Nghe An province in the coming time. Photo: Quang An

Regarding the flood prevention project in Vinh city, through monitoring, it is found that it is necessary to implement it to overcome the flooding situation throughout the city. This time, the JICA working group will conduct surveys and collect data to implement the project from the beginning of the new year 2021. For issues such as vocational training, university construction... JICA will study and be ready to coordinate with Nghe An province in the coming time.

On behalf of the leaders of Nghe An province, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu sincerely thanked the delegation of the JICA Office for visiting and working with the province and for the opinions exchanged with Mr. Shimizu Akira. The province will coordinate well. He assigned the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as Vinh city to work with ministries and branches and closely coordinate with JICA Vietnam to implement the projects on schedule. Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu also requested JICA to consider and study to have support in implementing the project to upgrade the Southern Irrigation System and other projects.