Efforts to address environmental "hot spots"

(Baonghean) - In the process of economic development, all levels of government and localities must resolve the conflict between growth and environmental protection. In the province, this work is carried out with close supervision from the people, creating positive changes and reducing many environmental pollution "hot spots".

According to a report from the Department of Environmental Protection, 10 establishments in the province are listed as causing serious environmental pollution according to Decision No. 64/QD-TTg and Decision No. 1788/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister. To date, 7 out of 10 establishments have completed pollution control measures and have been removed from the list. The remaining 3 establishments are striving to complete these measures within 2015.

In addition to facilities causing serious environmental pollution, through feedback from the public and the press, the Provincial People's Committee has directed relevant departments and localities to take decisive action against newly emerging polluting facilities, contributing to "cooling down" the pollution situation and eliminating "hot spots" like in previous years.

Ms. Nguyen Thi An Phong, a provincial People's Council representative elected in Nghi Loc district, affirmed: "In previous meetings with voters, the issue of environmental pollution from production facilities in the Nam Cam Industrial Park was always a 'hot' topic raised by voters, but at the meeting with voters before the 14th session of the 16th Provincial People's Council, voters no longer brought it up. This proves that the relevant levels and sectors have handled the issue well."

The water source leading into Trang Den Lake in Nam Hung commune (Nam Dan district) is polluted.

However, some businesses, despite being repeatedly fined, have still not rectified the consequences of their actions and lack cooperation with local authorities in addressing environmental pollution, causing public outrage. Alternatively, some facilities, even those with standard wastewater treatment systems, continue to cause pollution. Many believe this is due to two possibilities: firstly, malfunctions occurring during the operation of the wastewater treatment system; secondly, some facilities intentionally shut down their wastewater treatment systems during production.

For example, at the Sabeco packaging factory of Sabeco Song Lam Joint Stock Company, according to Mr. Nguyen Tien Thanh, a public relations officer of Hung Dong commune (Vinh City), although the company has invested in a wastewater treatment system and it has been assessed by the authorities, there are times when this facility still causes environmental pollution in terms of water and air emissions, affecting the lives of the people.

As evidence of the most recent incident, on March 20, 2015, after receiving reports from the public, representatives from various units, including the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board, the Bac Vinh Industrial Park Investment and Development Company, the Vinh City Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Hung Dong Commune People's Committee, were present at the scene and confirmed that the wastewater discharged from the Sabeco Song Lam Packaging Factory had a foul, pungent odor, was cloudy white, and contained a high concentration of chemicals. This was also acknowledged by Mr. Le Quang Hoa, Deputy Head of the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board, at a meeting with the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Council on environmental pollution control in industrial parks. However, the enterprise did not admit to causing the pollution, and the authorities lacked a basis to specifically and accurately determine the source of the pollution, as the wastewater from the factory was discharged into the Hung Dong commune's drainage system, which runs underground through the factory.

Mr. Tran Minh Son, from the Environmental Crime Prevention Police Department of the Provincial Police, stated, "Currently, it is very difficult to determine the cause. Entering the underground pipe for inspection is extremely dangerous due to suffocation from toxic gases. The Environmental Police Department is continuing to coordinate with relevant agencies to monitor the situation and use professional methods to verify and clarify the matter. Upon discovery, we will handle it according to the law."

During the development process, many businesses build factories and start operations early, causing pollution. Only after inspections and follow-up by authorities do they build wastewater treatment systems. At the same time, some businesses, driven by profit and disregarding community interests, intentionally take advantage of rainy weather, nighttime, holidays, and weekends to discharge untreated wastewater (by not operating wastewater treatment systems, businesses save on operating costs including labor, electricity, water, and chemicals...).

According to Mr. Ho Sy Dung, Head of the Provincial Environmental Protection Department: To thoroughly address environmental pollution, in addition to the involvement of all levels and sectors, the important thing is the sense of responsibility of businesses and the supervisory role of local authorities and the people. When discovering environmental damage caused by businesses, people need to immediately report it to the relevant authorities so that timely action can be taken...

Mai Hoa