Nghe An is determined to prevent and combat corruption and negative practices.

The number of defendants increased by over 300%.

Since its establishment, the Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption and Negative Practices in Nghe An province has effectively played its role as the "commander-in-chief," coordinating and harmonizing efforts among various functional agencies.combating corruption and negative practices.Locally, Comrade Thai Thanh Quy - Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council, Head of the Provincial Delegation of National Assembly Deputies, and Head of the Provincial Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption and Negative Phenomena - once emphasized four guiding principles for action: "Awareness must be mature; thinking must be clear; determination must be strong; and methods must be correct."

With that approach, effectiveness has been steadily improving, not only at the commune level, but many cases at provincial-level departments and agencies have been investigated and clarified by the authorities; especially cases involving officials and civil servants.abuse of position and authoritywhile performing official duties; or abusing one's position or authority to misappropriate property.

For example, the case of "Abuse of position and power in the performance of official duties" at the Department of Planning and Investment was brought to trial in February 2023. The former Head of the Business Registration Department, along with one specialist from the Department of Planning and Investment and one specialist from the Provincial Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, received appropriate penalties for their violations of the law. Similarly, the case of "Abuse of position and power in the performance of official duties" at the Dien Chau District Agricultural Service Center was tried by the District People's Court at the end of April, with sentences ranging from 15 to 36 months of suspended imprisonment for former leaders and officials of the Center, including the Director, accountant, and one other official.

A series of corruption cases in several localities, departments, and agencies, such as those involving abuse of power and authority while performing official duties at the Department of Construction, the Fisheries Sub-Department (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development), and the Thai Hoa Town Branch of the Land Registration Office, will soon be brought to trial.

From its establishment until June 2023, the Provincial Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption and Negative Phenomena has placed 15 complex corruption and negative cases that have attracted significant public attention in the province under its monitoring and guidance, such as: the case related to the construction project of a hotel complex, supermarket selling pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, and housing in Nghi Phu commune, Vinh City, invested by Minh Khang Trading Co., Ltd.; the case of "Abusing position and power while performing official duties" occurring at the Fisheries Sub-Department (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development); the case of "Giving, brokering, and receiving bribes" occurring at the Nghe An Provincial Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (facility 37-01S in Vinh City and facility 37-02S in Thai Hoa town); the case of "Violating regulations on the management and use of state assets causing losses and waste" occurring at Truong Son residential cluster, Cua Nam ward, Vinh City; The cases include: the "Giving and Receiving Bribes" case at the Nghia Dan District Investment and Construction Project Management Board; the "Receiving Bribes; Brokering Bribes and Abusing Position and Authority While Performing Official Duties" case at several Land Registration Offices in the province; the "Abusing Position and Authority While Performing Official Duties" case at the Department of Construction; the "Giving and Receiving Bribes" case at the Nam Can International Border Gate Customs Sub-Department; the "Abusing Position and Authority to Appropriate Property" case at the Tuong Duong District Investment and Construction Project Management Board;…

According to statistics from the People's Committee of Nghe An province, during the period (from December 15, 2022 to May 31, 2023), investigative agencies actively verified and prosecuted many corruption cases. The number of corruption cases and defendants discovered during the period was 20 cases/91 defendants, an increase of 10 cases and 70 defendants; a 100% increase in the number of cases and a 333% increase in the number of defendants compared to the same period in 2022.

Focus on the weak points, the difficult areas.

The Provincial Steering Committee for Anti-Corruption and Negative Phenomena has comprehensively and synchronously implemented tasks and solutions to prevent and combat corruption and negative phenomena; encompassing prevention, detection, and handling; focusing on key areas; concentrating on weak points, difficult areas, and sectors prone to corruption and negative phenomena, areas with numerous complaints, denunciations, and public outrage, in order to direct resolution and ensure tangible and effective results, avoiding formalism; while simultaneously ensuring strict, consistent, and timely handling of violations by cadres and Party members through Party discipline, administrative sanctions, and criminal prosecution.

Last June, the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption and Negative Phenomena held a conference to evaluate the results of one year of operation of the provincial-level Steering Committees; through this, Nghe An was recognized as one of the localities with the most newly initiated cases related to corruption, with 33 cases in the past year; of which, 40 officials and Party members were prosecuted.

In the coming period, it is predicted that the situation regarding corruption and negative practices will remain complex, with instances of officials and civil servants abusing their positions and authority for personal gain or group interests; in particular, petty corruption is rampant and infiltrating agencies and units, causing public resentment and dissatisfaction.

Thorough understandingthe guiding spirit of General Secretary Nguyen Phu TrongIt is necessary to "promote even stronger, more decisive, and more effective" the fight against corruption and negative practices, which is very difficult and complex; the Standing Committee and the Provincial Party Committee should focus on directing preventive measures and resolutely combating not only acts of corruption, but also negative practices, or even just signs of corruption and negative practices, within the ranks of cadres and civil servants.

Most recently, the Provincial Steering Committee for Administrative Reform has pointed out that some officials in the specialized departments of the Department of Construction and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment have been criticized for causing inconvenience and harassment in the performance of their duties. Therefore, it has requested that all levels and sectors within the political system resolutely replace or transfer those who are sluggish, incompetent, violate public service ethics, or have a negative public opinion regarding their performance of duties; in particular, they should proactively coordinate with the Provincial Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption and the Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Commission in gathering and verifying public opinion and handling officials who violate regulations related to administrative reform and public service ethics.