Nghe An has 8 shortcomings in environmental protection work

8 existing problems and limitations in environmental protection

The thematic monitoring activity "Environmental law compliance of organizations, units and enterprises in Nghe An province" was deployed by the Provincial People's Council from February to June 2023. Through direct monitoring at a number of localities, enterprises, agencies, units and a number of relevant provincial departments and branches together with the Provincial People's Committee, the monitoring delegation of the Provincial People's Council reported the monitoring results at the meeting.

The report was emphasized by Deputy Head of the Provincial People's Council's Supervisory Delegation Cao Tien Trung: The work of leadership, direction, and implementation of environmental protection laws in the province has received attention from Party committees, authorities, and the entire political system from the province to the grassroots, the business community, and all classes of people.

Accordingly, environmental protection work is increasingly effective and the quality in the province is improving. As evidence, according to the environmental protection results assessment index: In 2020, Nghe An province achieved an average level; in 2021, the province ranked 10th in the country and was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; in 2022, the Provincial People's Committee sent a document to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for appraisal.

Besides positive changes, the Deputy Head of the Provincial People's Council's Supervisory Delegation also pointed out 8 shortcomings and limitations in environmental protection work in the province:

- Slow development and promulgation of a number of documents to implement the Law on Environmental Protection 2020.

- The dissemination and popularization of environmental policies and laws in some places is not regular and continuous, and the effectiveness of compliance with environmental protection regulations is not high.

- The collection, transportation and treatment of domestic solid waste still have some shortcomings. Such as landfills do not ensure distance; landfill technology is outdated; many spontaneous landfills cause environmental pollution; waste collection and treatment in rural and mountainous areas do not have effective solutions; attracting factory projects and solid waste treatment technology in the area does not meet the actual needs of the locality; some projects operate ineffectively or do not have enough funds to operate; waste collection at many tourist destinations and accommodation service establishments still causes local environmental pollution.

- Currently, there are 17 type V urban areas in districts, 5/6 concentrated production, business and service areas outside the Southeast Economic Zone, 12/24 industrial clusters, and 182 craft villages that do not have centralized wastewater treatment systems.

- Dredging of lakes, canals and ditches as well as waste and wastewater management have not received due attention; pollution in some ponds, lakes, canals and rivers still exists.

- Investment in construction, repair, upgrading and operation of environmental technical infrastructure is still lacking in synchronization, so environmental pollution in some places has not been completely resolved.

- The rate of control, collection and treatment of environmental pollution points due to residual plant protection chemicals is not high; the handling of facilities causing environmental pollution and serious environmental pollution is still slow.

- Inspection and examination of environmental protection work has not been carried out regularly and promptly.

7 recommendations and proposals for the Provincial People's Committee

To overcome 8 shortcomings and limitations; at the same time, improve the effectiveness of law enforcement on environmental protection of organizations, units and enterprises in the province, Deputy Head of the Supervisory Delegation Cao Tien Trung also made 7 recommendations of the Provincial People's Council to the Provincial People's Committee to direct departments, branches, localities and units to implement:

- Strengthen propaganda, dissemination of laws, education, raising awareness, associated with mobilizing organizations, communities, households and individuals to participate in environmental protection with many rich and diverse forms, suitable for each subject.

- The Provincial People's Committee needs to promptly develop and issue decisions detailing and guiding the contents under the responsibility of the Provincial People's Committee assigned in the Law on Environmental Protection for unified implementation in the province; enhance the responsibility of heads of agencies, organizations and units in environmental protection work.

- Promote administrative reform, apply information technology, digital transformation in receiving and handling administrative procedures on environmental protection.

- Organize well the control of pollution sources, manage waste sources, prevent and respond to environmental incidents. In particular, pay attention to developing a master plan to increase the collection and treatment rate of domestic solid waste; have a plan to treat construction waste; complete the wastewater collection and treatment system in urban areas, residential areas, rural residential clusters, production and business establishments, craft villages, industrial clusters, medical examination and treatment facilities, meeting environmental protection requirements before discharging into receiving sources; have a plan and alternative solution for Nghi Yen Solid Waste Treatment Complex after it operates at full capacity. Focus on thoroughly handling pesticide residue points; resolve the situation of long-standing environmental pollution such as at Dong Vinh landfill, Oncology Hospital (facility 1) and other facilities causing environmental pollution...

- Organize well the monitoring, supervision, warning, and management of environmental quality, implement periodic environmental monitoring programs; urge and request units to install and complete automatic environmental monitoring systems and transmit monitoring data in accordance with environmental laws; update information technology systems and infrastructure to serve the operation, management, and exploitation of environmental databases.

- Mobilize and effectively use resources for environmental protection; prioritize the allocation of increased annual environmental career funding for all levels and units; encourage, mobilize, and organize socialization for environmental protection work.

- Strengthen inspection, examination, supervision and strict handling of violations in environmental protection work according to regulations; establish environmental protection inspection teams to promptly detect, handle violations and correct shortcomings in the operation process.