It's not just the people's fault!
(Baonghean) - The land clearance for the National Highway 1A expansion project has been basically completed. The difficulties and hardships are over. The troubles and controversies surrounding compensation and support have subsided. But there are still some things that continue to bother me, sir!
- With so many complicated and troublesome things happening, how could I possibly forget them immediately!
- What I mean is that there are things that need to be discussed and clarified further regarding those events.
So what is it about?
- When tense conflicts arose between the people and local authorities in some areas regarding prices, land area for support, and compensation, some officials expressed the opinion that our people are so different from the past. They demand their rights at the slightest provocation, regardless of right or wrong. Unlike during the resistance war, when "we wouldn't hesitate to demolish our houses before the vehicles could pass," readily tearing down their homes to fill bomb craters so vehicles could reach the front lines without a second thought about the consequences.
- Do they mean that people in the past were better than they are now?
- That might be the intention. But why don't they think more thoroughly about the root cause and then explain it properly?
- I've also heard people say that, blaming the market economy, which prioritizes profit, for destroying and diminishing many valuable things in our culture. As a result, everyone is demanding and clinging to their own interests without thinking broadly.
- That statement only addresses isolated incidents and doesn't grasp the true nature of the problem. Consider this: along the entire route, are there more people who voluntarily hand over their land or more who resist and procrastinate?
- Procrastination is only a minority, a small, isolated group. Everyone knows that!
- Therefore, we shouldn't make such biased and sweeping generalizations. And even in places where people deliberately procrastinate, the fault doesn't necessarily lie solely with the people.
I've heard similar opinions as well!
- If, from the beginning, the local government officials had acted with integrity and honesty, resolving issues based on the legitimate rights of the people in a way that was both fair and reasonable, and not taking advantage of the situation to manipulate matters for their own benefit and that of their families, then the tension wouldn't have escalated to this point.
- He's right. There's a saying, "One act of dishonesty leads to countless acts of distrust." Compensation and land clearance are always complex issues because they touch upon the vital interests of the people. Just a few inaccurate or non-transparent actions by officials can immediately erode public trust.
- The crux of the matter lies in the loss of trust. And it must be reiterated that our people are still as good as they used to be. If they weren't good, how could the land handover have been completed? The main reason for the complications and problems is the unprofessional, biased, and unfair handling of the situation by some members of the local government. Therefore, we must calmly reflect and realize that the fault does not lie with the people. Then, we should learn from this experience and improve ourselves in other areas of work.
Phuc Vinh
