Nghe An: Market at risk of being shut down before construction is even finished.

Despite being intended to become the business and trading center of Nam Thai commune (Nam Dan district), the rural market in Nam Thai commune is facing the risk of closure even before completion due to a lack of capital and the selection of an unsuitable location.

According to our research, on August 19, 2013, the Provincial People's Committee issued Decision No. 3641/QD.UBND allowing the preparation of economic and technical reports for construction projects.rural marketNam Thai commune. The construction site has been identified in Hamlet 8, Nam Thai commune, with an area of ​​approximately 3,000 m2.

This is a Class 3 market project, with a main hall area of ​​400 m2; a system of stalls covering 400 m2; a ground area, fence, drainage ditches, fire prevention and fighting system, and other auxiliary facilities…

The total investment for this project, as approved by the province, is expected to be 4 billion VND. The funding will come from the provincial budget, as stipulated in Decision No. 56/2010/QD.UBND dated August 4, 2010, on policies supporting investment in the construction of rural markets in Nghe An province until 2020; and from the district budget, in conjunction with the commune budget and other legally mobilized sources.

The rural market in Nam Thai commune is built on an area of ​​approximately 4,000 square meters, on the road leading to the commune center, near National Highway 46. Photo: Tien Dong

After receiving permission from the Provincial People's Committee, the People's Committee of Nam Thai Commune prepared an economic and technical report, which was approved by the People's Committee of Nam Dan District on September 25, 2013, through Decision No. 5204/QD-UBND. At that time, the People's Committee of Nam Thai Commune did not have the authority to manage the project or prepare the economic and technical report; therefore, both the preparation of the report and project management had to be outsourced to a third party. According to the approved report, the total investment was determined to be 3 billion 987 million VND.

On January 6, 2014, the People's Committee of Nam Thai Commune issued Decision No. 18/QD-UBND approving the results of the direct bidding process. The designated contractor was Hoang Kim Construction Joint Stock Company (headquartered in Nhan Son Commune, Do Luong District), with a direct bidding price of over 3.6 billion VND. On April 8, 2014, the People's Committee of Nam Thai Commune and Hoang Kim Construction Joint Stock Company signed construction contract No. 04/2014/HD-XD, with the project expected to be completed within 360 days from the date of signing.

However, after a period of construction, the project had to be halted due to a lack of funds. Currently, from our observation, the main market building has two rows of kiosks in front that have been erected. However, the surrounding courtyard remains undeveloped, with scattered earth, rocks, trees, and weeds. After more than 7 years, some areas have already deteriorated and become damaged.

Besides the main temple, two rows of kiosks have also been erected in front of the entrance, but they are not yet complete. Photo: Tien Dong

According to records kept at the People's Committee of Nam Thai Commune, the contractor completed work worth 1,169,648,000 VND. In June 2014 and June 2015, the People's Committee of Nam Thai Commune also paid the contractor 525 million VND and 400 million VND respectively. Since then, the project has remained unfinished, and the People's Committee of Nam Thai Commune has not made any further payments for the completed work.

According to Mr. Van Ba ​​Hoa, Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Thai commune, this project was built a long time ago, but due to a lack of funds, it cannot be continued. Mr. Hoa also stated that even with funding, it would be difficult to continue construction because the market's location is inefficient, as Nam Thai commune already has the Rao Gang and Nam Nghia markets, and several large markets in Nam Dan town. Mr. Hoa said that the commune has repeatedly invited the construction company to discuss and settle the completed work, but the contractor has not shown up. Currently, Nam Thai commune is also considering changing the land use purpose of this area; however, this requires permission from the Provincial People's Committee.

We contacted Mr. Hoang Van Giai - Director of Hoang Kim Construction Joint Stock Company, the representative of Party B (the construction contractor), directly using the phone number listed on the construction contract signed with the People's Committee of Nam Thai Commune, but we were unable to reach him.

After more than 7 years, the rural market project in Nam Thai commune remains unfinished and is at risk of being abandoned. Photo: Tien Dong

Mr. Le Van Sy - Head of the Economic and Infrastructure Department of the districtNam DanIt was stated that the Nam Thai rural market project is located within the planned commercial land area. Currently, any conversion to other uses requires permission from the competent authorities.

Regarding the settlement of accounts for this unfinished project, Mr. Nguyen Ho Ba, Head of the Finance and Planning Department of Nam Dan District, said: Currently, the district has completed the procedures to finalize the accounts for this project, severing all debts with the construction unit.