Nghe An province discovers 64 apartment buildings with design flaws and 8 buildings exceeding the permitted number of floors.

The Vice Chairpersons of the Provincial People's Council, Cao Thi Hien - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, and Hoang Viet Duong, presided over the explanatory session. Participating in the session were Nguyen Thi Thu Huong - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Head of the Provincial Propaganda Department, and Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council; and Dinh Viet Hong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. Photo: Mai Hoa

Comprehensive inspection reveals violations in all 72/72 apartment buildings.

Implementing the Notice of Conclusion of the Interpellation Session (December 2016) and the Resolution on the results of the Provincial People's Council's supervision (2017) related to the planning, construction permits, and management of high-rise apartment buildings in the province; in recent times, the Provincial People's Committee has directed relevant departments, agencies, and localities to draft documents and strengthen the management of planning, construction permits, and management of high-rise apartment buildings in the province.

In particular, the Provincial People's Committee has also directed and urged departments, agencies, and localities to address existing shortcomings and limitations in the investment, construction, and management of apartment buildings. This includes adjusting four high-rise apartment buildings into low-rise buildings in areas that do not meet the technical infrastructure requirements; and reviewing and developing plans for several projects.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Dinh Viet Hong acknowledged that state management of planning and management of apartment buildings has not been strict enough. Photo: Mai Hoa

Regarding the issuance of land use right certificates for housing, out of a total of 5,586 apartments assessed for transfer conditions in 32 projects, 4,059 have been granted land use right certificates, reaching 72.7%.

The Provincial People's Committee has also established an inter-agency inspection team to conduct a comprehensive inspection of 72 apartment buildings that have been constructed and put into use in the province; clearly identifying violations, responsibilities, measures, and timelines for handling violations for each project.

Inspection results for 72 apartment buildings revealed violations in all 72; of which 64 buildings were constructed in a manner inconsistent with the approved design documents or with construction regulations and standards. Notably, 8 apartment buildings exceeded the approved number of floors.

Clarify responsibilities and corrective measures.

Besides the active involvement of the Provincial People's Committee, relevant departments and localities, at the explanatory session, the issue of concern to the meeting participants was the responsibility and measures to handle cases of violations of approved designs, especially the 8 apartment buildings that exceeded the permitted number of floors.

According to Mr. Nguyen Truong Giang, Acting Director of the Department of Construction, the Department is currently conducting a re-evaluation. If any construction project is found to be unsafe, it will be dismantled; if it is deemed safe and conforms to the planning regulations, the investor will be required to prepare a dossier for submission to the competent authority for approval of the adjustment of the detailed construction plan, approval of the adjustment of the project design, and the application of measures to compel the return of the illegally obtained funds, equivalent to 50% of the total value of the construction of the excess floors.

Mr. Nguyen Truong Giang, Acting Director of the Department of Construction, affirmed that they will handle apartment buildings constructed exceeding the permitted number of floors according to regulations. Photo: Mai Hoa

Some members participating in the meeting also raised many existing shortcomings and limitations, requesting the Provincial People's Committee and the Department of Construction to clarify responsibilities and measures for handling them in the future, as some of these shortcomings and violations have been occurring for many years.

Of particular concern is that 13 apartment buildings have not been officially inspected and approved by the competent authorities but have already been put into operation and occupied by residents.

On the other hand, there are currently 6 apartment buildings where the access roads and water supply are not adequate for fire trucks to reach them; this is an extremely dangerous problem in the event of a fire or explosion.

The Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Council requested the Provincial People's Committee to clarify responsibilities and measures to address existing problems in apartment buildings. Photo: Mai Hoa

Although attention has been paid to issuing housing ownership certificates, the issuance rate remains low. There are still 32 apartment buildings that have not established management boards; the management of apartment building maintenance funds is not in accordance with regulations…

Based on the issues raised at the explanatory session, the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Council requested the Provincial People's Committee and relevant departments, agencies, and localities to continue to effectively implement Directive No. 29/CT-TTg dated October 9, 2018, on strengthening the effectiveness of State management over the management, operation, and use of apartment buildings; and the conclusions of the Provincial People's Committee's inspection on compliance with laws on investment, land management, and use of apartment buildings in the province.

Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council Cao Thi Hien presided over the explanatory session. Photo: Mai Hoa

In connection with this, it is necessary to carefully consider the approval of investment policies for the construction of high-rise apartment buildings in urban centers and densely populated areas; strengthen guidance and inspection of the management and acceptance of construction quality at apartment buildings under construction; and enhance the dissemination of laws on the operation and use of apartment buildings…

On the same day, the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Council also held a briefing on institutional reform within the administrative reform framework of the province.