Cadres and party members must always be closely attached to the people.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc talks with forces helping Nghi Hai Primary School (Cua Lo Town) overcome the consequences of storm No. 10 (September 2017). Photo: Hoai Thu

PV:Dear Provincial Party Secretary, through many visits and work at the grassroots level, what feedback have you heard from the people about the working style and manner of the staff?

Comrade Nguyen Dac Vinh:Compared to the general level of the whole country, our province's cadres are relatively well-trained, have courage, and perform their duties in an orderly manner. I know that many cadres at the grassroots level show determination and high determination in their work, which are trusted and loved by the people. However, among the grassroots cadres, we still hear many people reflect on the slow resolution of administrative procedures, the state of bureaucracy, not being close to the people, not really being proactive, and the low efficiency in performing tasks.

The most concerning issue is the situation of being “close to the people” but not “close to the people”, although the commune level is the level closest to the people, most closely connected to the people. Being close to the people here means that officials must truly listen to the people, resolve their thoughts, aspirations, and legitimate requests in a timely and effective manner. However, through meeting the people and interacting with voters, I see that many issues that people report are under the authority of the commune level to resolve, but have not been resolved well.

PV:So what solution does the province propose to overcome this problem, sir?

Comrade Nguyen Dac Vinh:The province has seen these shortcomings, so on the one hand, it pays close attention to caring for, training, fostering, and improving the quality of its staff; at the same time, it requires strengthening dialogue between officials at all levels, especially commune-level officials, and the people. Since 2017, the Provincial Party Committee has required the Chairman of the People's Council and People's Committee at the commune level to organize dialogues with local people twice a year. Thereby, creating a closer bond between officials and people; grasping and promptly resolving concerns right at the grassroots level.

The work of inspecting and supervising the staff is also focused on, because if this work is done well, the staff will perform their duties more methodically and orderly. The above solutions all aim at the ultimate goal that the Party Committee, the government, the Fatherland Front Committee and the organizations at all levels in the province are truly attached to the people, gaining the support and high trust of the people to work together to achieve the common goal.

Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Dac Vinh visited the avocado growing model of Mr. Tran Hung Dao's family in Nghia Phu commune, Nghia Dan district. Photo: Thanh Duy

PV:The 12th Party Congress documents clearly stated: “Cadre assessment remains the weakest link over many terms but there are no specific criteria and scientific solutions to overcome it.” Could you share more about this issue and the solutions to overcome it in our province?

Comrade Nguyen Dac Vinh:Evaluating cadres has long been considered a difficult step, because human qualities are very difficult to quantify. Currently, the Central Government is seeking opinions from provinces and cities to develop a set of criteria to guide the evaluation of cadres. Based on that, the provinces will specify a set of criteria for comprehensive, objective, and fair evaluation. However, to evaluate cadres accurately and completely, it requires full information. To do so, the role and responsibility of those working in cadre and management work is very large. First of all, they must be really close, regularly monitor, grasp full information; at the same time, they must listen to the masses, public opinion and filter and evaluate information about cadres to make better evaluations. At the same time, the important principle for evaluating cadres is to take work efficiency as the main measure. After all, whether cadres make efforts or not, good or bad working methods, are all reflected in work results.

However, the important thing is what motivation for personnel workers and managers at all levels to evaluate cadres in the most objective and fair way. Because for a long time, we have often heard that the evaluation of cadres is still in a general and formal state, still showing deference and avoidance. To overcome this problem, we must create motivation, first of all, it must be associated with the requirements of efficiency and increasingly high quality of work. From there, leaders and managers of agencies and units will have to select, foster, and train quality cadres; at the same time, require higher quality of work for subordinates. On the other hand, it is necessary to do a good job of emulation and reward to create more motivation for cadres. Each cadre and party member must also truly imbue the Party's spirit to always be a pioneer and exemplary.

PV:In 2017, the Party Central Committee issued a Resolution on a number of issues on continuing to innovate and streamline the political system's organizational structure to make it more streamlined and effective. Could you please tell us about the guiding ideology for implementing this Resolution of the Standing Committee and the Provincial Party Committee?

Comrade Nguyen Dac Vinh:Over the years, our Party has issued, led, and directed the implementation of many policies, resolutions, and conclusions on building the apparatus of the political system and achieved many important results. However, the apparatus of the political system is still cumbersome, with many levels and focal points; its effectiveness and efficiency have not met the requirements and tasks. The functions, tasks, powers, apparatus organization, and relationships of some agencies and organizations are not really clear, still overlapping and duplicated. Although there are many cadres, some are not yet refined. Therefore, Resolution 6 of the Central Committee (12th tenure) has clearly identified the policy on innovation and reorganization of the apparatus of the political system as a necessary task to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the apparatus; at the same time, strengthening people's trust in the political system.

Nghe An province implements the above criteria with the spirit of having to carefully research and analyze on the basis of scientific theory combined with practice to build a plan with a solid and effective foundation; at the same time, carry out propaganda and mobilization work well to achieve high consensus. When a good plan is built and there is consensus, the implementation process will be more favorable. At the same time, the implementation process must also follow a roadmap to ensure stability. The Standing Committee and the Provincial Party Committee lead and direct the implementation of this Resolution with high political determination in the spirit of having good methods, ensuring many goals including: Arranging a streamlined, effective and efficient apparatus; streamlining the payroll; ensuring political stability.

Officers and soldiers of Regiment 335 help people build new rural areas in hamlet 12 - Linh Son commune (Anh Son). Photo: Le Tuong Hieu

PV:On the occasion of the New Year of the Dog, do you have any messages for the cadres, party members, soldiers and people of your province?

Comrade Nguyen Dac Vinh:The socio-economic targets set for 2018 for our province are very high. Therefore, from the beginning of the year, I hope that every cadre, party member, compatriot, and soldier of the province, with the spirit of a new year of new victories, will always unite, strive, and be creative to perform their tasks well, creating a breakthrough in the socio-economic development of the province. Each grassroots party organization, cadre, and party member must thoroughly grasp, study, and effectively implement the Party's resolutions; voluntarily study, practice, truly be a pioneer, be a role model, and create trust among the masses and people. Thereby, creating a combined strength to overcome difficulties, promote the valuable assets of Nghe An land and people to build an increasingly developed homeland.

On the occasion of Spring and New Year, I wish my fellow countrymen and comrades in the province good health, happiness, solidarity, and competition in labor and production to successfully complete the goals, targets, and tasks of 2018.

PV:Thank you very much, Provincial Party Secretary!

Article by Thanh Duy, technique by Lam Tung.