Issues to be resolved in Ban Ve Hydropower Resettlement Area

(Baonghean) - Ban Ve Hydropower Project, the total number of households to be relocated from 33 villages, 9 communes in the reservoir area is 3,022 households with 14,324 people, of which 2,123 households are located in Thanh Chuong district, 555 households are located in Ky Son district, 232 households migrate according to their wishes. 100% of the people here are ethnic minorities, including the Kho Mu, O Du and Thai ethnic groups, the highest poverty rate in the country is 89.63%, with an average income of 6 million VND/person/year. Therefore, when moving to the resettlement area, there are many difficulties.

People in the resettlement area in Thanh Huong commune take care of the hybrid acacia nursery.
Photo: Tran To

According to the general assessment of the Central and Provincial Inspection Teams, the investor has basically complied with the regulations, built infrastructure, convenient traffic routes, and provided adequate electricity and water. Schools, committee offices, village and hamlet cultural houses are spacious, and the majority of households' houses are also guaranteed. The area of ​​rice fields that the Hydropower Project Management Board 2 has reclaimed and handed over is about 50 hectares, and the people reclaimed about 70 hectares, the rest is hilly land. The investor's resettlement preparation and selection of resettlement sites have been done well, the temporary policies have been basically supported by the people, and production conditions are not as difficult as some resettlement areas of other projects in the country.

So why after 7 years of moving to a new place, people's lives are still poor and difficult? Some families have to sell their houses and return to their old places to make a living? The reason is that the production level is still backward, they have not adapted to the new place, and the mindset of relying on the State's support is still heavy. In addition, the resettlement policy is not clear, some commitments between people and investors and local authorities have not been completed, such as: there is still a lack of land for people, some houses built for people have collapsed roofs; some overflow bridges are difficult for people to travel during the rainy season. In particular, the coordination between investors and local authorities, departments and branches of the province is not high, the long-term production plan of the people has not received due attention. The team of grassroots cadres from communes to villages is still weak, specialized sectors have not focused on going deep into the people, have not held hands and given specific instructions in disseminating scientific and technical experiences in agricultural, forestry and fishery extension; There are no good projects or stable production associated with the new rural program...

In a recent meeting with provincial leaders, comrade Ho Xuan Hung - advisor to the Central Steering Committee on the National Target Program on New Rural Development, said that in order to improve the long-term lives, reduce poverty, ease difficulties, and develop sustainably for people resettled in the Ban Ve Hydropower Project in particular and some other resettlement areas in general, it is necessary to have the cooperation of the entire political system and businesses. It is necessary to clearly define the responsibilities of each party between the investor and the authorities at all levels in removing difficulties for the people to proactively take action.

The resettlement of Ban Ve Hydropower Plant will have no end... when the involvement of all parties is not thorough and active, and they still shirk responsibility, considering the task of solving difficulties for the people to be someone else's, not theirs.

CITIZEN