There is a need to decentralize power and authority, increasing the autonomy of Vinh City.

(Baonghean) - The decentralization and delegation of power to increase proactiveness and improve efficiency in state management for Vinh City has been a long-standing issue. This was also discussed and agreed upon during the working session between the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and the Standing Committee of the Vinh City Party Committee on the morning of October 17th.

The breakthrough aspect is not yet clear.

Reporting to the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Comrade Vo Viet Thanh, Secretary of the Vinh City Party Committee, clearly stated that the city's economic breakthrough is not yet evident. This is evidenced by the average growth rate of the city during the 2011-2015 period, which only reached 7.92% compared to the target of 16.5%. The average annual growth rate of budget revenue during this period only reached 2.42%, compared to the target of 21-22% set by the Party Congress.

Furthermore, Vinh City is facing a series of problems such as poor planning management, land management, and urban order, with ongoing violations; the development and formation of a civilized urban lifestyle has not met development requirements… The development of Vinh City into a regional center of the North Central region in some areas is still slow and not truly promising, such as in science and technology, information technology, high-tech industry, and sports.

This poses a challenge and pressure for the province's leading development hub, as the deadline for achieving the goals and targets for this urban area by 2020 is to become the regional center of North Central Vietnam in finance, trade, tourism, science and technology, information technology, high-tech industry, healthcare, culture, sports, education and training.

A section of Vinh City center. Photo: SM

During a working session between the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and the Standing Committee of the Vinh City Party Committee, many opinions were raised to guide and resolve various related issues for the city. Director of the Department of Planning and Investment, Nguyen Van Do, stated that, in implementing Resolution 26 of the Politburo, Vinh City is a center for services and high-tech industrial development. However, the solutions for mobilizing local resources are not yet commensurate with the needs.

“The first step is for Vinh City to mobilize ODA resources. Currently, the Department of Planning and Investment is mobilizing ODA from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the city's green urban development. However, to mobilize effectively, the city should have a dedicated fundraising department. Secondly, it is important to effectively implement the public-private partnership (PPP) model; and at the same time, proactively attract and strengthen social participation in attracting investment; and exploit the potential of land resources.”

Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Council Cao Thi Hien pointed out another aspect of economic development, namely the suburban agricultural sector of Vinh city: "Although the proportion of the agricultural sector in the economic structure is not large, we must determine the direction of agriculture to meet the needs of Vinh city residents with products such as clean vegetables, flowers, etc."

Localized flooding is a challenging problem for Vinh city. (Photo courtesy of Nghe An Newspaper)

In addition, many delegates at the meeting also emphasized solutions to create breakthroughs in infrastructure, build a civilized urban lifestyle; address the issue of encroachment on sidewalks and pedestrian areas, deal with localized flooding, and alleviate traffic congestion caused by the rapidly increasing density of vehicles, especially cars.

According to Nguyen Hong Ky, Director of the Department of Transportation, the number of newly registered cars reaches 1,000 during peak months, while the average is around 600-700. Therefore, the demand for parking spaces is increasing to prevent illegal parking, which affects traffic safety. He suggested that the city should build more parking lots as there are currently none.

Promoting decentralization for cities

To solve the problem of breakthrough growth for Vinh City, as well as address existing shortcomings and limitations, in addition to resources from the central and provincial governments, decentralization and delegation of power to increase proactiveness and improve the efficiency of state management in the city is essential.

Agreeing with the view that Vinh City needs strong decentralization, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Huynh Thanh Dien cited examples such as decentralizing authority to the city in merging land plots with an area of ​​750m2 or less, or granting the City People's Committee the authority to decide on the management, operation, and exploitation of urban transportation systems, except for provincial and national highways passing through the area… all of which are entirely feasible.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Duong agreed with the view that it is necessary to boldly decentralize power to the city. "Based on the opinions given today, Vinh City should summarize the content so that the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee can preside over a meeting with relevant departments. What is right should be decentralized immediately; for anything still hampered by regulations, we propose that the Standing Committee allow the city to conduct a pilot program," the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized.

In addition, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also requested that the city be proactive and decisive, taking initiative to do what can be done, and promptly reporting in writing anything beyond its authority. Departments should work with the city to pilot various issues and initiatives.

Supporting the bold initiative to pilot decentralization for Vinh City, the Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Nguyen Xuan Son, stated that Vinh must be a livable city, "only then can it attract human resources, material resources, and financial resources." To achieve this, Vinh City must manage urban planning well and effectively address issues related to sanitation, environment, food safety, and infrastructure.

Transactions at the one-stop service center of the Vinh City Tax Department. Photo: Thanh Le

Concerned about the rapid development of Vinh City, Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Dac Vinh requested that the locality needs to strike a balance between a vision and clearly defined key objectives in the development process. Addressing specific issues, the Provincial Party Secretary emphasized that planning and planning management are clear tasks that must be carried out effectively, coupled with the public disclosure of plans to attract investment and enable officials and citizens to monitor them; while simultaneously building a civilized, green, clean, and beautiful city.

In particular, with the goal of becoming the regional center of North Central Vietnam, Vinh City must develop in the direction of a convergent city, with the foundation being a center for innovation and entrepreneurship for the province and the region; possessing distinctive architecture; having friendly and hospitable people; providing good services in both the public and private sectors; and creating an attractive environment for investors, scientists, and cultural figures. "I urge you all to base your management on these criteria and strive persistently to create these values," the Provincial Party Secretary emphasized.

Along with the strong development of the service sector in the economic structure, the Provincial Party Secretary suggested that Vinh City should promote the development of clean industries with clear planning to attract investment, as well as consider relocating industrial parks away from the inner city area.

"As a developing city, Vinh needs to learn from the experiences of more developed cities to stay on the right track. Therefore, it should pay attention to and refer to their models for development, and selectively adopt them to build Vinh city," Comrade Nguyen Dac Vinh pointed out.

The Provincial Party Secretary also requested that Vinh City pay attention to developing and issuing a list of programs and projects requiring investment until 2020. From there, the city should proactively promote and attract investment, mobilize resources from within and outside the province, and from abroad, and effectively implement ongoing investment projects; accelerate administrative reform towards a clean, transparent, and service-oriented approach for the people and investors; and the city should set an example and lead the province in applying information technology in administrative work.

Vinh City is focusing on developing agriculture in its suburban areas to meet the needs of urban residents. (Photo: Nghe An Newspaper)

Simultaneously, innovate and research land clearance policies to harmonize the interests of the people, businesses, and the State; resolutely reclaim slow-developing projects and combat land speculation.

The Provincial Party Secretary also emphasized the effective use of urban land resources, the harmonious development of services, trade, and industry; completing the new rural development program with the aim of ensuring a high standard of living for people in suburban areas, suitable landscapes, and land for the development of recreational areas; and the distribution and organization of residential areas.

Regarding the proposals for decentralization to Vinh City, the Provincial Party Secretary agreed and clarified: For matters within the authority of the Provincial People's Committee, the Provincial People's Committee should review them and decentralize them to the city. For issues under the jurisdiction of the Government, if pilot programs are feasible, the city should be allowed to conduct them; for issues that cannot be piloted, Vinh City should compile its proposals and submit them to the Provincial National Assembly Delegation for further recommendations to higher levels.

Nhat Le