These hidden aspects need to be eliminated soon.

(Baonghean) - Occasionally, the press reports on unnecessary waste that deeply saddens anyone who learns about it. The main causes of this situation are always related to two issues: mechanisms and accountability.

Recently, it was revealed that over 90 cubic meters of cypress wood, a Group 1A timber listed in the World Red Book, were seized by authorities in three districts of Ea H'leo, Krông Năng, and Krông Búk (Đắk Lắk) from smugglers in 2007. The wood had been left exposed to the elements for eight years and had rotted to the point that it crumbles into powder with a light squeeze. This is a very rare and valuable type of wood, worth hundreds of millions of dong per cubic meter. Despite its high price, it is not easy to obtain.

Yet, that pile of valuable timber, worth tens of billions of dong, is simply "fading away" over time. Meanwhile, the relevant authorities and local government are still struggling to figure out how to handle it properly because there is no precedent. The district proposed to the province that it be confiscated and used for public works because Government Decree 32/2006/ND-CP stipulates that "endangered, rare, and precious forest plants in group 1A, which are confiscated as evidence according to current State regulations, may be processed and traded for commercial purposes." But for some reason, the province did not dare to make a decision.

After numerous meetings and consultations, the People's Committee of Dak Lak province recently decided to auction off the timber, but they are unsure of the price, as this type of wood is not included in the province's published price list. Ultimately, they sent a request to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for a mechanism to facilitate its sale and to set a price. However, the Ministry has yet to respond... As a result, this valuable timber continues to deteriorate. It's likely that by the time a disposal plan is decided, no one will want it, as it will have already become rotten firewood.

The second issue, which has been widely reported in the press for the past three or four years, concerns dozens of impound lots in Hanoi holding thousands of motorcycles, cars, and other vehicles of all kinds, estimated to be worth hundreds of billions of dong. These vehicles are turning into scrap metal under the elements, unable to be disposed of or liquidated due to the overly strict and cumbersome procedures for handling confiscated vehicles and liquidating such assets. According to current regulations, after the temporary seizure period expires, at least two announcements must be made in the media, but a decision to confiscate the vehicles can only be made after 30 days, before they can be transferred to another unit for auction. This means it takes approximately half a year to resolve the issue of a single abandoned vehicle. Meanwhile, the liquidation process is also very strict and cumbersome, requiring the full involvement of various authorities such as the police, public asset management agencies, and finance departments. Therefore, that pile of vehicles, worth hundreds of billions, continues to rust and deteriorate in the wind, fog, rain, and sun.

There are many reasons behind those two sad stories. But mainly, it's due to a lack of responsibility and fear of responsibility. Anything without precedent is something they don't dare to do or decide on, even with clear guiding decrees like in the first story. The second story is typical of overly cumbersome and complicated mechanisms and procedures, making anyone who encounters them feel discouraged, so they choose to accept losing the money rather than try to get it back or organize an auction to sell it for public funds. Another reason is that the assets don't belong to anyone in particular, so "everyone's responsibility means no one's sorrow."

These are the hidden flaws in the current system and mechanisms that need to be eliminated as soon as possible.

Duy Huong