Nghe An: Sea dike occupied for construction material business

Construction material storage sites encroach on the sea dyke in Quynh Thuan and Quynh Luu communes. Photo: Le Nhung

The Quynh Long, Quynh Thuan, Son Hai and Quynh Tho sea dyke construction project was invested by the State under the Government's coastal erosion prevention program with a total length of nearly 3.3 km, with a total investment of more than 94.5 billion VND. In February 2017, the Nghe An Agricultural and Irrigation Planning delegation and the People's Committee of Quynh Luu district, after a field inspection, accepted and handed over the sea dyke project to relevant localities for self-management and protection.

However, after more than 1 year of handover, construction material storage sites have appeared more and more on the sea dike section through Quynh Thuan commune.

According to records at the sea dike of Quynh Thuan commune, there are currently 3 households illegally trading in construction materials, including Han Nga, Chung Thuy in hamlet 1 and Thang Nga in hamlet 3. These establishments not only encroach on the sea dike to illegally gather construction materials but also cause the accompanying consequence of damaging rescue routes due to overloaded vehicles frequently passing through.

The construction material storage area of ​​Han Nga facility brazenly encroaches on the sea dike of Quynh Thuan commune. Photo: Viet Hung

Mr. Tran Minh Thanh - a resident of Quynh Thuan commune said: "Since households started operating and trading construction materials in the sea dike area, the residential roads have deteriorated. The vehicles transporting materials are mainly "tiger" trucks carrying 60 - 70 tons, even running all night. People have requested to make signs to prohibit large trucks from entering, especially on this sea dike route."

Article 7, Chapter 1 of the Law on Dykes clearly stipulates prohibited acts including: destroying dykes; using motor vehicles exceeding the permitted load on dykes; dumping waste within the dyke protection area; leaving materials on dykes; illegally occupying, using or moving materials reserved for flood, storm and flood prevention and control... However, the sea dyke of Quynh Thuan commune is being turned into a business place by people to serve their personal interests.

Construction material storage sites are increasingly appearing at the sea dike section through Quynh Thuan commune, but local authorities have yet to take effective and decisive measures to deal with them. Photo: Viet Hung.

Discussing this issue, Mr. Tran Van Trung - Secretary of the Quynh Thuan Commune Party Committee said: Through inspection, the business of construction materials on the sea dike is not in accordance with the law. The Party Committee and the People's Council have assigned the Commune People's Committee to invite these households to assign responsibility for stopping business and returning to the original state. However, through a number of meetings between the People's Committee and these households, up to now, the above households have not strictly complied with the handling form of the Commune People's Committee. To resolve this issue well, in the coming time, we will continue to direct the Commune People's Committee to work with these households to prevent business encroachment on the sea dike project.