Many pressing issues in mountainous and ethnic minority regions have not received adequate attention.

On the morning of December 2nd, the Ethnic Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council held a meeting to review the report on the results of addressing opinions and recommendations from voters prior to the 9th session of the 17th Provincial People's Council, term 2016-2021, concerning ethnic minority and mountainous areas. Photo: Mai Hoa

I disagree with the Provincial People's Committee's resolution.

After reviewing the report on the resolution of opinions and recommendations from voters before the 9th session of the 17th Provincial People's Council, term 2016-2021, concerning ethnic minority and mountainous areas, the Ethnic Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council basically agreed with the responses and solutions provided by the Provincial People's Committee.

However, some members of the Provincial People's Council's Ethnic Affairs Committee believe that some responses to voters' petitions lack clarity regarding responsibilities, solutions, and timelines for resolution.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Hoang Viet Duong suggested that the Ethnic Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council should select pressing issues in mountainous and ethnic minority areas to include in its monitoring program for 2020. Photo: Mai Hoa

According to Ms. Luc Thi Lien, Deputy Head of the Ethnic Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council, voters in Con Cuong district have reported a shortage of water for daily life and production during the hot season, and they hope the province will support the construction of water supply and irrigation projects to meet the needs of the people.

However, the Provincial People's Committee's response to this issue was unclear, neither confirming nor denying support, but only requesting localities to strengthen propaganda and guidance for people to protect forests and water sources, in conjunction with using water economically and storing water…

Lang Van Chien, Secretary of the Quy Chau District Party Committee, disagrees with the Provincial People's Committee's response regarding the frequent power outages in the mountainous area. (Photo: Mai Hoa)

Voters in Ky Son district have submitted a petition requesting the Provincial People's Committee to re-plan residential land, creating conditions for people living in the Nam Can International Border Gate area to have land for housing and business activities. Although the Provincial People's Committee has responded regarding the implementation of land issues according to regulations, the reality in this area demands more practical attention from the Provincial People's Committee, especially regarding the need for residential land and land for investment in services to improve the lives of the people.

Also disagreeing with the responses to voters' petitions from relevant agencies, the Secretary of the Quy Chau District Party Committee, Lang Van Chien, reflected on the situation of frequent power outages in the district, with some days experiencing up to 10 power cuts, a long-standing problem in Quy Chau district. Meanwhile, the Provincial People's Committee's response stated that the power cuts were scheduled, notified to customers in advance, or due to grid safety issues and other reasons. Mr. Lang Van Chien urged the Provincial People's Committee to clarify the responsibility of the power company in this matter.

Managing the gravity-fed water system in Tuong Duong district. (Photo: Archival image)

Pay more attention to pressing issues.

In addition to reviewing the report on the resolution of voters' petitions by the Provincial People's Committee, at the meeting, members of the Ethnic Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council also raised many pressing issues and requested the Provincial People's Committee to intervene and resolve them.

According to Luong Thanh Hai, Head of the Provincial Ethnic Affairs Committee, the current reality is that people of working age in many mountainous and ethnic minority areas have mostly gone to work far away from home, with an average of 300-400 laborers per commune.

However, the workforce in this area mainly has a secondary or high school education, resulting in unstable employment and low income, making it particularly difficult to find a livelihood upon returning to their hometowns.

Based on this reality, the Head of the Provincial Ethnic Affairs Committee recommended that the Provincial People's Committee and relevant departments should consider and find solutions to create sustainable livelihoods for people in mountainous and ethnic minority areas; and at the same time, provide vocational training for workers in these areas.

Nguyen Van Hai, Secretary of the Tuong Duong District Party Committee, reported on the low-lying state of the power grid in the mountainous region and requested the Provincial People's Committee to direct the Electricity Company to undertake a project to renovate and upgrade it. Photo: Mai Hoa

Another issue of concern to some members of the Provincial People's Council's Ethnic Affairs Committee is that there are currently 225 villages and hamlets in the province that still lack electricity; although this issue has been raised for a long time and voters have repeatedly expressed their frustration, there is still no concrete solution.

There are also issues such as the shortage and poor quality of drinking water for people in mountainous areas, and problems with electrical safety...

Also during the morning, the Ethnic Affairs Committee of the Provincial People's Council spent time reviewing its internal activities in 2019 and implementing tasks for 2020; and listened to a report on the results of monitoring the planning and arrangement of concentrated residential areas in the implementation of sustainable development investment policies for ethnic minority areas in the province from 2016 to the present.