Strong measures are needed for land clearance.

(Baonghean) - In recent times, Nghe An has been highly praised for its success in attracting investment in the industrial sector.

Large-scale projects with high registered capital and a strong impact on the provincial economy include the VSIP Nghe An project (US$76.4 million); the laminated wood and MDF board production project with a capacity of 130,000 m3/year; the Hoa Sen Dong Hoi project with an investment of VND 7,000 billion; the Quynh Lap 1 Thermal Power Plant project with an investment of US$2.2 billion; the Song Lam and Song Lam 2 Cement projects of The Vissai Group; the Hoang Mai 2 Cement project of Vicem Vietnam Cement Corporation; and the Royal Food processing plant, etc.

The results were achieved thanks to the emphasis and strengthening of external communication efforts. Investment promotion activities for industrial development focused on key, in-depth partners; combined various forms of promotion both domestically and internationally; and, in particular, closely coordinated with central investment promotion agencies, foreign organizations, and provincial departments and agencies. The sectors have continuously strived to implement comprehensive solutions to improve the business environment to attract investors, enhance production and business efficiency, and strengthen the competitiveness of businesses in the province.

However, land clearance for projects still faces many obstacles, infrastructure investment progress is slow, investment lacks coordination, and the construction of resettlement projects is delayed. These shortcomings lead to infrastructure not meeting the requirements for attracting investment, and the implementation of some investment projects is slow and prolonged.

The Song Lam Cement Plant, Vissai Grinding Station and Port project of The Vissai Cement Group is one example. This is a large, key project that the province has attracted investment for, which has been basically completed and will go into operation by the end of 2016. Phase 1 of the Song Lam Cement Plant is already operational and producing products. Although relevant departments and localities have made great efforts to complete a large volume of work in both land clearance and construction to ensure the transportation routes serving the projects, some obstacles remain unresolved, resulting in delays in opening the routes to serve the projects. The N5 road is not yet open, affecting the plant's production activities.

The Nghi Dong resettlement area serves the Nghi Thiet grinding plant project. Photo: Chau Lan

The VSIP Nghe An project is also facing difficulties in land clearance. In reality, land clearance is always a difficult and complex issue during project implementation, and a leading cause of delays for projects, including some key projects. This is due to inconsistent and sometimes inadequate handling of resettlement requests, leading to complex complaints. Transparency and openness in mechanisms, policies, and implementation are also limited.

The propaganda and mobilization efforts still lack depth and breadth, and there is a lack of breakthrough solutions regarding procedures and implementation. In many localities where the projects pass through, people still make unfounded demands and deliberately create difficulties for investors and local authorities.

Meanwhile, in some localities, officials are still compromising and hesitant to confront issues, leading to less than satisfactory results in propaganda, mobilization, and compensation for land clearance.

Because two households have not yet handed over the land, the N5 road section passing through Dai Son commune, Do Luong district, is currently blocked.

Therefore, to ensure fairness and law enforcement, it is time for a comprehensive solution in land clearance. For compensation to be effective, it is essential to first provide support, resettlement, and stable living conditions for those whose land is expropriated; diversify resettlement options, allowing those whose land is expropriated to choose a suitable resettlement method, thereby gradually reducing complaints and preventing the emergence of "hot spots."

It is necessary to develop mechanisms and policies, utilize state capital, and mobilize social resources to create "clean" land for project implementation. Furthermore, ensuring transparency in policies and mechanisms, and protecting the interests of the people in land clearance, will create a basis for monitoring and reassure those whose land is being acquired, allowing them to fulfill their responsibilities. For households that have been informed and provided with all available support but remain uncooperative and deliberately create difficulties, coercive measures should be resolutely implemented…

Land acquisition has always faced numerous difficulties. Obstacles in land clearance cause many projects to be delayed, leading to wasted land resources and significantly increased project costs. Many believe that Nghe An province needs a resolution on this matter to act as a catalyst for accelerating project progress and increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of land clearance, a complex process that impacts all aspects of economic and social life. This is a crucial prerequisite for promoting the image and attracting other corporations to invest in Nghe An.

Viet Phuong