Vital role, leading the way

(Baonghean) - Inheriting and promoting the tradition of "Brave and resilient in war, intelligent and creative in the cause of innovation and integration of the homeland and country", over the past 70 years, generations of people working in the transport sector in the heroic Soviet homeland have had glorious achievements, making important contributions to the common development...

On August 28, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh signed the Decision to establish the Ministry of Transport and Public Works; in Nghe An, the Transport Department was established. During the years of resistance against the French colonialists and the American imperialists, the task of the Transport sector was determined to ensure the requirements of the battlefield, the requirements of production, and the repair of transport works destroyed by the enemy. During those two miraculous resistance wars of the nation, tens of thousands of cadres, soldiers of the youth volunteer force, frontline workers, and traffic workers of the Nghe An Transport sector with the spirit of "no regrets until the car has passed the house", "if the enemy destroys it, we will repair it", "live on the bridge and road, die steadfastly and bravely" have made great achievements associated with famous places such as: Ben Thuy, Cam bridge, Bung bridge, Hoang Mai, Truong Bon, Le Canal, National Highway 1, National Highway 7... That tradition has become a valuable spiritual foundation for the next generations today and tomorrow of the Nghe An Transport sector to continue writing heroic pages of history.

Overpass project on National Highway 46 (Vinh City). Photo: Thanh Le

After the Great Victory in the Spring of 1975, peace was restored throughout the country, Nghe An was one of the localities that suffered many losses in terms of transport infrastructure. The task of the transport sector at this time was to focus on serving the construction and protection of the Fatherland in each new stage of the country. From 1976 to 1991, Nghe An merged with Ha Tinh to form Nghe Tinh province. The task of the transport sector at this time was to focus on serving the construction and protection of the Fatherland in the new revolutionary stage. During the years 1976 - 2000, the sector consolidated and stabilized the organization, overcame backwardness, and applied science and technology to develop the transport system to serve the industrialization and modernization of the country.

Entering the 21st century, identifying "Transportation as an essential and important link in infrastructure, must be one step ahead to meet the development requirements of the national economy", Nghe An's transport sector has strived to integrate and develop with many remarkable achievements. In the construction of transport infrastructure, a series of projects have been started and completed such as Ho Chi Minh road through Nghe An province, Ben Thuy 2 bridge, railway overpasses, National Highway 1A through Nghe An, ... The completed projects put into use have connected economic regions, creating momentum for the socio-economic development of the province in particular and the whole country in general.

Implementing the Resolution of the 17th Nghe An Provincial Party Congress (term 2011 - 2015), the Nghe An Transport sector has made new, steady, proactive and creative steps to create a foundation for the socio-economic development of the province. In the 5-year period (from 2011 - 2015), the sector has organized the construction, completion, and operation of many key and important projects, with a total implementation cost of about 19,500 billion VND, of which the projects invested by the Department reached 6,620 billion VND. Many important projects have achieved and exceeded the set schedule such as: Project to upgrade and expand National Highway 1A; implementing construction of some sections on National Highway 7; completing the investment and construction of National Highway 46 avoiding Vinh City; upgrading and expanding the road surface of some sections of National Highway 46B; Upgrading and renovating many sections on National Highway 48 and actively attracting capital to invest in the construction of National Highway 48B, Tay Nghe An route, Vinh - Cua Lo Boulevard, modern overpasses... Those important traffic works are contributing to the prosperity of the heroic Soviet homeland every day and every hour. At the same time, rural traffic is being upgraded by the Transport sector in close coordination with the locality, creating a solid infrastructure system for socio-economic development; after 4 years of implementing the National Target Program on New Rural Construction, the whole province has more than 4,500 km of rural roads paved with cement concrete and asphalt.

In addition to the continued consolidation of the road traffic system, Nghe An's transport sector also pays attention to and invests in air transport. In particular, in 2014, Vinh Airport was adjusted to become an international airport, with an increasing number of passengers (reaching more than 1 million passengers/year). That not only creates a new political and diplomatic position for Nghe An but also creates conditions for the development of the province's tourism industry. Along with completing the road and air traffic network, Nghe An has upgraded Cua Lo Seaport, receiving ships with a tonnage of 20,000 tons to enter and exit conveniently. Transport capacity is enhanced with the position of many types of enterprises operating in the transport sector, meeting the needs of local goods exchange and communication. Traffic assurance is focused on all aspects: maintenance, repair, traffic separation, encroachment clearance, planning of residential areas, eradication of black spots...

State management work has been constantly improved and operated effectively. The sector has researched and advised the Provincial People's Committee on the planning of transport until 2020. Implementing the policy of innovating state-owned enterprise activities, the sector has issued many documents guiding the equitization of affiliated units, streamlining departments and offices; improving the professional qualifications and management capacity of cadres and civil servants, meeting the requirements of tasks in the new situation. The Ministry of Transport assessed the Nghe An Department of Transport as a "bright spot" in administrative reform of the whole sector.

Along with that, the work of gratitude and remembering the source of water is also given attention. Along with many social security activities, the industry has built and renovated many typical works such as: Martyrs Cemetery of the Transport Industry in Truong Ke, Le Dynasty Canal Memorial, especially Truong Bon Historical Relic Site, ... to commemorate and pay tribute to heroic martyrs in the Transport Industry.

The above achievements are first of all thanks to the attention and direction of the Party and State; the support of the Ministry of Transport, central ministries and branches, the close and timely direction of the Provincial Party Committee, the People's Committee of Nghe An province, provincial departments and branches, the active coordination of local authorities at all levels and the tradition of "courage, intelligence, creativity", along with the lessons learned from previous generations.

Promoting the tradition of Nghe An Transport Industry over the past 70 years, in the coming time, the industry will focus on performing well the following tasks:

Firstly, focus on effectively implementing programs and projects in the spirit of Resolution 26 of the Politburo on the direction and tasks for the development of Nghe An province until 2020 in the field of transport. Carry out the work of reviewing, adjusting, supplementing, and developing plans, projects, mechanisms, and policies on transport development in line with the socio-economic development of the province. Focus on directing, implementing resolutely and achieving good results the plans, mechanisms, and policies approved by the Provincial People's Committee.

Leaders of Nghe An Department of Transport surveyed the construction of the province's Western route. Photo: TL

Second, mobilize all resources to the maximum, attract capital to invest in construction, complete and put into use key projects. Implement well the socialization of investment, strongly encourage economic sectors to participate in contributing capital investment in the field of transport infrastructure; driver training and testing; road motor vehicle inspection, etc. Develop rural transport, coordinate and integrate programs, projects, and the National Target Program on New Rural Construction to gradually build roads to mountainous villages.

Third, continue to make great strides in the transportation sector, meeting the travel needs of the people and serving the socio-economic development of the province. Focus on inspection and rectification of transportation activities. Improve the quality of training, testing, issuance, and renewal of driving licenses, and the quality of vehicles through inspection, meeting the increasing needs of society and creating convenience for the people.

Fourth, strengthen the direction of traffic safety work. Manage the traffic infrastructure system well, strengthen maintenance and repair work, do a good job of flood and storm prevention, ensure smooth and convenient traffic, manage traffic corridors well, create changes in management, maintenance and repair work in districts.

Fifth, continue to promote administrative reform, focusing on areas related to organizations and individuals, with simple, clear, quick and timely procedures, creating a strong change in administrative reform. Continue to improve the capacity and qualifications of cadres and civil servants to meet the requirements of tasks in the new situation. Do a good job of preventing and combating corruption, avoiding waste and practicing thrift. Actively participate in social security activities.

Achieving those goals is really a big challenge for the entire Nghe An Transport Industry. With a 70-year tradition of building, growing and developing, along with the attention and direction of the Party and the State; the coordination and support of the central and local ministries and branches, all cadres, employees and workers of the Nghe An Transport Industry will unite, enthusiastically compete, join hands to build a sustainable development industry, contributing more and more effectively to the cause of industrialization and modernization of the country.

NGUYEN HONG KY

Member of Provincial Party Committee, Director of Department of Transport