Strive to make sure that Vinh City no longer has the situation of setting off fireworks on New Year's Eve.

On the morning of October 24, Vinh City People's Committee held a conference to deploy a plan to prevent and combat violations related to fireworks; clear traffic safety corridors, and ensure urban order before, during and after the Lunar New Year 2019. Photo: Pham Bang

Responsibility for fire prevention and control is still limited.

Vinh City People's Committee assessed that during the period nearing the Lunar New Year 2019, the demand for fireworks by subjects has increased, leading to complicated developments in the situation of illegal buying, selling, transporting, storing, and using, with an increasing trend.

The production of self-rolling fireworks is on the rise, especially among students, young people who are self-employed and do not have stable jobs. The management and control of the trading of precursors and chemicals for the production of fireworks by the authorities are still lacking. "During the 2018 Lunar New Year, the situation of setting off fireworks on New Year's Eve still occurred in Vinh City. Therefore, the People's Committee of Vinh City was criticized by the Provincial People's Committee", said Mr. Le Sy Chien - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh City.

To prevent firecrackers during Tet, on August 16, 2018, Vinh City People's Committee issued a firecracker prevention plan in the area, the implementation period of the plan includes 2 phases. Phase 1 from August 20, 2018 to December 31, 2018; Phase 2 from January 1, 2019 to February 28, 2019. Vinh City People's Committee established 2 inspection teams on firecracker prevention in the areas, led by 2 Vice Chairmen of Vinh City People's Committee. Vinh City People's Committee also assigned the target of arresting criminals and violations of firecrackers before, during and after Tet to 26 units, localities with 93 cases.

After 2 months of launching a campaign to prevent firecrackers, Vinh City Police have arrested 5 cases, 7 subjects, and seized 238.68 kg of various types of firecrackers. Compared to the same period in 2017, there were 3 more cases and 5 subjects. Vinh City Police have prosecuted 3 cases and 5 subjects.

However, the Vinh City People's Committee frankly assessed that the implementation of the plan by some departments, branches, unions, wards and communes has not been really drastic, and has not assigned specific responsibilities to each individual. The work of propaganda, dissemination, legal education, and mobilizing people to prevent firecrackers is still limited.

The responsibility of some departments, branches and localities for firecracker prevention work is still limited, and they have not really paid attention to implementing the contents of the proposed plan. The results of the fight, arrest and handling of subjects with violations of firecrackers by functional units are still limited, low efficiency, not commensurate with the situation, the nature of the area and the number of troops.

Nguyen Kieu Hung and Vo Van Tan were arrested by Vinh City Police for illegally buying and selling 68.2 kg of firecrackers on October 23. Photo: HQ

Mr. Le Sy Chien - Vice Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee said that in addition to management, inspection and handling measures, departments, branches and localities need to strengthen and innovate propaganda work on firecracker prevention and control. "Departments and localities need to take advantage of social networks to propagate and take advantage of security camera systems to provide images of violations for fighting and handling. Thereby, raising awareness and creating high consensus among the people", Mr. Chien said.

Ensuring people have a safe and healthy Tet holiday

Regarding traffic safety and order, Vinh City People's Committee assessed that the situation of trucks and passenger cars circulating on the city's prohibited routes during rush hours, without licenses or not in accordance with the time stated in the license, is happening frequently, disrupting traffic safety and order, causing traffic congestion during rush hours and increasing the risk of traffic accidents.

“The situation of buses and taxis driving recklessly, cars stopping and parking illegally; illegal vehicles with less than 16 seats picking up and dropping off passengers illegally, causing frustration among the people. The re-encroachment work of the People's Committees of wards and communes is not effective, penalties are not strict, and are not deterrent enough. The situation of re-encroachment of traffic safety corridors and sidewalks on the roads has not changed, or is changing slowly,” Mr. Nguyen Quoc Thang - Head of the Urban Management Department of Vinh City reported at the conference.

It is forecasted that before, during and after the Lunar New Year 2019, the traffic safety situation will be complicated. The People's Committee of Vinh City requested sectors and localities to step up the work of clearing traffic safety corridors; the police force will strengthen inspection and handling of violations of traffic safety order.

Mr. Le Sy Chien - Vice Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee requested departments, branches and localities in the area to strengthen firecracker prevention and control work. Photo: Pham Bang

“The activities of the Traffic Safety Rapid Response Team have shown signs of slowing down recently. While the situation of traffic violations before, during and after Tet will be very complicated, you must step up inspection and handling activities. Urgently complete the proposal to organize traffic during rush hours regarding no-stopping, no-parking, and one-way street closures on some routes to prevent traffic congestion,” said Mr. Le Sy Chien.

The Vice Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee requested that sectors and localities soon research and organize flower and ornamental plant selling points, and service businesses during Tet; research and organize many cultural and entertainment activities on New Year's Eve for people to participate, contributing to limiting the use of fireworks and campfires on sidewalks; ensuring people can celebrate Tet safely, happily and healthily.