Que Phong: 7-storey commercial center project 'turned' into a shabby counter and booth
(Baonghean.vn) - Although a grandiose plan was drawn up to build a commercial center right in the center of Kim Son town (Que Phong), from 2018 until now, instead of following the plan, Nghe An Mountainous Trade Joint Stock Company has built small kiosks for rent.
In 2018, Nghe An Mountainous Trading Joint Stock Company (Nghe An Mountainous Trading Joint Stock Company) was recognized by the People's Committee of Nghe An district.Que PhongApproved the master plan for construction of Que Phong Commercial Center on an area of 3,199.7 square meters.
The construction area of the project is 1,170m2, including a gas station area of 280m2; a supermarket of 290m2; a hotel of 600m2 and a system of entrance gates, gardens, and parking lots, with a construction density of 36.57%.
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| A row of kiosks located next to the entrance of the planned land for the construction of Que Phong Trade Center. Photo: Tien Dong |
However, instead of building a shopping mall as planned, the investor built several makeshift kiosks for people to rent, making this planned area shabby and unsightly.
In particular, the fact that investors build kiosks for people to rent for spontaneous business has created temporary markets, leading to encroachment on roadsides, potential traffic accidents, violations of traffic safety corridors, and environmental pollution.
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| Current status of land and planning drawing of Que Phong Commercial Center. Photo: Tien Dong |
Present at the planned construction siteQue Phong Commercial Center, we noticed that, apart from a gas station that had been built, there was no sign of a supermarket or hotel. Surrounding this area were two rows of kiosks located at the corner of Highway 16 and the road to Co Nong village (Kim Son town). In the middle of the land was an empty lot littered with rocks, weeds and some dilapidated houses.
The area of the kiosks is bustling with trading, with traders and people displaying their goods encroaching on the road and sidewalks, affecting the environment and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. The stalls even "block" the entrance to Kim Son Town Kindergarten (Nam Son school), significantly affecting the teaching and learning activities of the school.
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| Behind the rows of kiosks is a shabby, weed-filled scene. Photo: Tien Dong |
Regarding Que Phong Commercial Centerbuilding illegal rental kiosks, The People's Committee of Kim Son town has inspected many times, even the District Party Committee and People's Committee of Que Phong district have concluded, announced and requested Nghe An Trade and Services Joint Stock Company to stop operating stalls and kiosks to serve the work of eliminating the spontaneous temporary market next to Que Phong District Cultural Park. However, the business and trading at the rented kiosks in Que Phong Trade Center of small traders still takes place.
To clarify the illegal construction of kiosks and non-compliance with approved planning, we also contacted Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son - Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of Nghe An Trade and Industry Joint Stock Company, but still did not receive a response.
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| A dilapidated house in the middle of a planned land area. Photo: Tien Dong |
Specifically, on July 29, 2021, the People's Committee of Que Phong district worked with Nghe An Trade and Services Joint Stock Company to clarify the issue of building stalls and business booths of Que Phong Trade Center for the purpose of renting to small traders for business and trading. At this working session, after comparing the documents on the master plan at a scale of 1/500 approved by the People's Committee of Que Phong district to build the Que Phong Trade Center project, these kiosks were not included in the approved plan. Even the construction of these rows of kiosks has not been granted a construction permit by the competent authority.
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| People sell chickens and ducks in kiosks along National Highway 16. Photo: Tien Dong |
On August 30, 2021, the People's Committee of Que Phong district continued to issue Document No. 1369/UBND-KTHT requesting Nghe An Trade and Services Joint Stock Company to immediately close the stalls and booths that are being rented for business purposes. After much hesitation, on October 21, 2021, the People's Committee of Que Phong district had to work with Nghe An Trade and Services Joint Stock Company again and this time continued to extend the closure period of the stalls and booths that are being rented for business purposes at Que Phong Trade Center until December 31, 2021.
It is worth mentioning that the illegal construction of kiosks for rent by Nghe An Trade and Services Joint Stock Company for people is too obvious, not complying with the approved planning, affecting order, discipline and the urban appearance. However, the local government of Que Phong district still cannot resolve the matter completely. This has affected the strictness of the law, many people even question whether the investment in building Que Phong Trade Center is really implemented or is it just a trick to keep the land of the investor?
In order to ensure the strictness of the law, Que Phong district needs to be more drastic and resolute in dealing with illegal construction and non-compliance with the approved construction plan of Que Phong Trade Center. It is even recommended that the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Planning and Investment and relevant departments and branches consider revoking the investment license for the project at the Que Phong Trade Center land to hand it over to another unit that is truly capable and dedicated./.