People in Hai Thinh hamlet (Nghi Thiet, Nghi Loc) continue to petition to completely resolve the problem of environmental pollution.

Comrade Le Tien Tri - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board chaired the dialogue. Also attending were leaders of a number of departments, branches, and local authorities; representatives of Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company; and a large number of people from Hai Thinh hamlet, Nghi Thiet commune.

Concerns about environmental pollution

Recently, some residents of Hai Thinh hamlet, Nghi Thiet commune (Nghi Loc), continued to gather at the main road leading to Vissai seaport to prevent trucks from transporting goods to and from the port.

The reason why people gathered to prevent trucks from entering and leaving the port is related to resettlement issues and concerns about environmental pollution. Especially recently, when there was informationSong Lam Cement Joint Stock Companywill build a coal storage yard, install a coal screening and mixing line in the general port area, many households in Hai Thinh hamlet fear that when put into operation, it will cause environmental pollution, affecting people's health.

In addition, residents of Hai Thinh hamlet also requested the local government and Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company to fulfill their promises about building a boat mooring dock, building a cultural house, etc.

Regarding this issue, about 1 month ago, on June 23, 2023, representatives of local authorities, specialized departments and offices of Nghi Loc District People's Committee, Dong Nam Economic Zone Management Board and leaders of Song Lam Nghe An Cement Joint Stock Company also had a dialogue with people about resettlement and environmental issues surrounding the project.

During the dialogue, the people reiterated the promise of support from all levels and sectors to build a cultural house for Bac Thinh and Nam Thinh hamlets - now merged into Hai Thinh hamlet since 2017 - which has not yet been resolved. Meanwhile, the cultural house of Hai Thinh hamlet is currently in a state of disrepair and is too cramped, no longer meeting the cultural needs of the people as well as the process of building a new rural area in the locality.

Not to mention, many households in Hai Thinh hamlet are subject to relocation due to the impact of the cement grinding station and seaport construction project (belonging to Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company), but have not yet been relocated or resettled. This makes life extremely difficult for the people, as they have to maintain their dilapidated houses, which cannot be repaired, and live too close to the grinding station.

Opening the dialogue this afternoon, Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung - Chairman of Nghi Loc District People's Committee raised issues with the relevant departments and Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company, explaining to the local authorities and people a number of related issues, such as: the land planned for the construction of the enterprise's wharf; the functions and tasks of the seaport; the authority to approve the environmental impact assessment report; the issue of traffic regulation on the road leading to the seaport; and especially asking the company to explain to the local authorities and people about the water tanks that appeared during the construction of the port that people suspect are the company's wastewater tanks...

At the dialogue, 10 opinions and recommendations from local people were recorded. Some residents of Hai Thinh hamlet continued to express their frustrations regarding environmental pollution. Mr. Nguyen Van Cai - 76 years old, a resident of Hai Thinh hamlet said: It is not natural that local people gathered together to block cargo trucks from entering the seaport. What people are worried about is that environmental pollution will cause many diseases, causing mass fish deaths...

Mr. Nguyen Van Chuc - Head of Hai Thinh hamlet also suggested that businesses need to review their relationship with local people, avoiding "bureaucracy" when receiving and responding to feedback from local people.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Xuan - a resident of Hai Thinh hamlet and also a delegate of Nghi Thiet commune People's Council, said that the government and the company need to thoroughly resolve the people's petitions, especially those from previous dialogues. Avoid prolonging the situation, affecting the government's reputation with the people.

In addition, the people also requested that the company and local authorities must completely resolve the issue of compensation and resettlement. It is necessary to clarify whether the company uses water tanks to store wastewater; is it allowed to collect wood chips and stone powder? The issue of ensuring traffic safety for people when traveling on the road where many heavy trucks often enter and exit...

The company is committed to thoroughly resolving the problems.

Responding to the opinions and recommendations of the people, comrade Le Tien Tri - Head of the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board said: The investment in construction and implementation of the two projects of the Cement Grinding Station and Vissai Seaport are both carried out based on a complete legal basis, approved by the Provincial People's Committee in principle and licensed for investment and construction by competent authorities... In which, the Cement Grinding Station project planning covers an area of ​​over 69 hectares, the grinding station area is over 67 hectares, the rest is the area of ​​traffic infrastructure and facilities. For Vissai Seaport, the planning area is over 400 hectares, of which the water surface area is over 397 hectares and the natural coastal land area is about 10 hectares...

Comrade Le Tien Tri also informed that the items of wood chip and stone powder gathering are also shown in the business license, and have been shown in the enterprise's environmental impact report.

The construction of a boat mooring station and a resettlement area for households in the project area have also been included in the planning. The provincial People's Committee has assigned the construction of the resettlement area to Nghi Loc district to implement. If there are any problems, they must be reported promptly for timely handling. The project is expected to start construction in 2023 and be completed and handed over to the people by January 2024.

After receiving comments from the local people, comrade Le Tien Tri also requested Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company to do a good job of mass mobilization with the local people, especially when they have sacrificed, accepted to relocate, and gave up land for the investment project. Requested the company to survey and arrange jobs for the local people. Coordinate with the authorities to re-determine the area for land clearance...

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Oanh - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company sincerely apologizes to the local authorities and people for causing frustration to the people in the recent past. Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company itself has had a close relationship with the people over the years, since it began laying the first foundations to implement the project. However, recently, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the company's production and business activities have also encountered many difficulties.

Ông Oánh cũng khẳng định doanh nghiệp không lấn ra khỏi phạm vi quy hoạch của dự án; trạm nghiền xi măng không có nước thải độc hại, việc chở các bồn nước về là nhằm để làm mát các thiết bị, kết cấu máy móc trong bối cảnh nắng nóng kéo dài. Bên cạnh đó, các kết quả quan trắc môi trường luôn được kiểm soát và chuyển số liệu về cơ quan có thẩm quyền để theo dõi, quản lý. Trong thời gian tới, Công ty sẽ in các kết quả quan trắc gửi đến tận người dân địa phương...

Ông Nguyễn Ngọc Oánh cũng thay mặt phía công ty, hứa trước nhân dân xóm Hải Thịnh thời gian tới sẽ thắt chặt hơn nữa mối quan hệ đoàn kết, gắn bó với nhân dân địa phương; sẽ giao cho 1 cán bộ phụ trách trong việc đón tiếp, trả lời các ý kiến, kiến nghị của nhân dân một cách kịp thời và đầy đủ nhất...