Nghi Thiet Commune Party Committee and Government (Nghi Loc) dialogue with people about resettlement and environmental issues

Hope all levels solve existing problems

The dialogue between the Party Committee and the Government of Nghi Thiet Commune, Nghi Loc District and the people of Hai Thinh Hamlet took place right in the cramped cultural house of the hamlet. Many people had to sit outside in the yard with a temporary tarpaulin covering. This is also one of the situations that the majority of the people of Hai Thinh Hamlet have repeatedly requested Nghi Thiet Commune and Nghi Loc District to resolve soon.

During the dialogue, the local people reiterated the promise of support from all levels and sectors to build a cultural house for Bac Thinh and Nam Thinh hamlets – now merged into Hai Thinh hamlet since 2017 – which has not yet been resolved. Therefore, the hamlet’s cultural house is currently in a state of disrepair and is too cramped.

At the same time, many households that have to be relocated due to the impact of the Nghi Thiet Cement Grinding Station and International Seaport construction project (belonging to Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company) are waiting for relocation and resettlement. Therefore, life has encountered many difficulties, when they have to keep their houses in the current state of disrepair, cannot repair and live too close to the Grinding Station area. The reason is that the resettlement area invested by Nghi Loc district is slow to build, until now, people still do not know clearly when they can move out of the affected area.

Another problem is that 5 years ago, the authorities, sectors and businesses committed to building a safe harbor for more than 150 fishing boats of Hai Thinh hamlet, but to date it has not been promoted.

Recently, many households in Hai Thinh hamlet have reported to the commune about their fear of environmental pollution when Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company is building a coal storage yard in the general port area. The incident peaked a few days ago when some residents of Hai Thinh hamlet arbitrarily placed materials and vehicles on the road, blocking the transportation of materials and clinker from Do Luong Cement Factory to Nghi Thiet Cement Grinding Station and seaport.

Ensure people's rights and respect the strictness of the law

The dialogue with the above contents was recorded and responded to by representatives of Nghi Loc district leaders, Nghi Thiet commune Party Committee and Government; leaders of Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company and representatives of the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ba Diep - Vice Chairman of Nghi Loc District People's Committee, due to many reasons, the work of site clearance and construction of resettlement areas for households affected by the Nghi Thiet Cement Grinding Station and Seaport project is behind schedule compared to the plan. Currently, the land has been identified and the construction of infrastructure for the resettlement area is being promoted.

Regarding the cultural house of Hai Thinh hamlet, due to the process of merging hamlets, the commune calculated, hired an estimate, and redesigned the construction to be suitable. But up to now, the district has not received a specific report from Nghi Thiet commune to be able to coordinate with all levels and sectors to mobilize investment resources.

Nghi Thiet commune leaders also said that the commune is seeking opinions from Hai Thinh hamlet residents, but has received very little participation from the hamlet residents. Regarding this issue, the commune will soon complete the design, submit it to the authorities, and mobilize capital on the basis of the State and the people working together with the support of Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company.

Regarding environmental assurance, the representative of the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board said that the departments and branches have installed environmental monitoring stations right in the cement grinding station. Measurement data is reported hourly to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, so if the environmental assurance index exceeds the regulations, Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company will be warned and even fined.

At the dialogue, Mr. Hoang Minh Tuan - Director of Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company affirmed that the unit has been operating for a long time and will continue to operate for another 70 years. Therefore, production must ensure environmental safety is one of the criteria that the company always thoroughly implements. During the construction and operation process, the company always ensures the criteria according to the environmental impact assessment regulations of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Mr. Hoang Minh Tuan said that he and thousands of staff and workers of the company work every day in the factory, so environmental protection awareness is increasingly focused. The company also focuses on planting trees, creating landscapes and green fences to contribute to improving the environment inside and around the production area.

Regarding the concerns of the people when Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company deploys a coal wharf in the seaport area, Mr. Hoang Minh Tuan affirmed that the unit is building and ensuring strict environmental protection criteria, this is a transit area, not burning coal as people worry. "We are committed to applying the best technical solutions, not to affect the ecological environment. So people can rest assured..." - Mr. Hoang Minh Tuan emphasized.

Regarding the concerns of the people of Hai Thinh hamlet about the commitment of Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company in supporting the construction of the hamlet's cultural house and a boat mooring station for fishermen, Mr. Hoang Minh Tuan affirmed: "The company always keeps its promise to support the hamlet and Nghi Thiet commune in building new rural areas. The company will continue to support the construction of the above items. But people must clearly understand that, according to legal regulations, the commune and district are responsible for the construction procedures, and the company actively supports. We will continue to accompany the people and the commune in building infrastructure. Through this, we also hope that the people and the commune will increase exchanges with the company to stabilize and develop together."

Talking to Nghe An Newspaper reporters after the dialogue, Lieutenant Colonel Le Tien Dung - Deputy Head of Nghi Loc District Police said: "Attending the dialogue, we found that some of the recommendations of the people in Hai Thinh hamlet, Nghi Thiet commune had a basis and were answered by the authorities, promising to continue to resolve. Regarding the behavior of some people blocking the vehicles of the enterprise in circulation in the previous time, Nghi Thiet Commune Police and Nghi Loc District directly met with the people to propagate so that they clearly understand that this affects the production and business of the enterprise and is contrary to the provisions of the law. We continue to work with the government and organizations to strengthen the mobilization and persuasion of people to comply with the provisions of the law in the process of reflecting and recommending practical issues. The spirit is to ensure the rights of the people but must respect the strict provisions of the law."

PV Group