Agree on plan to handle existing problems at Chi Khe Hydropower Project
Chau Khe Commune People's Committee and Chi Khe Hydropower Joint Stock Company have agreed to make a plan to review and proceed to completely handle the existing problems that people have requested, as reflected by Nghe An Newspaper, Radio and Television through the article "Soon solve the clean water source for people living along Chi Khe Hydropower Reservoir".
Review and statistics of existing
Article “Quickly solve the clean water source for people living along Chi Khe hydroelectric reservoir” was published by Nghe An Newspaper, Radio and Television on September 4, 2025. The article reflects the difficulties in domestic water supply and land subsidence in some residential areas of Chau Khe commune along the Chi Khe hydropower reservoir. Immediately after that, the People's Committee of Chau Khe commune organized a review, synthesis, and clarification of the petitions of local people.
According to the People's Committee of Chau Khe Commune, the Chi Khe Hydropower Project was approved by the Provincial People's Committee for planning adjustment (for the second time) in Decision 3335/QD-UBND dated August 1, 2018. Accordingly, the area of the hydropower reservoir is 640.2 hectares (corresponding to the water level at an altitude of +38m); the area of the reservoir protection corridor is 195.57 hectares (calculated from an altitude of +38.0m to 40.87m). Regarding compensation, support and resettlement, the Chi Khe Hydropower Project is implemented in 2 phases.
After Chi Khe Hydropower Plant was put into operation, many petitions, complaints and reports were received in Chau Khe commune regarding compensation, support and resettlement; and complaints about house subsidence, agricultural land landslides and domestic water pollution of households living along the reservoir.
Faced with this situation, the competent authorities have organized inspections, reviews and proposed solutions. However, the contents of reflections and recommendations have not been thoroughly resolved, and there are still problems.
For the current Chau Khe commune government, after more than 2 months of operation (from July 1, 2025), it has received many petitions and recommendations from households in the area. In particular, regarding compensation, support and resettlement within the Chi Khe hydropower reservoir, the Commune People's Committee received petitions from 20 households in Bung Xat village (represented by Mr. Vi Van Truyen) reflecting on being affected by Chi Khe hydropower but not yet receiving compensation. In addition, at the August 2025 citizen reception session of the Commune People's Committee, it received additional petitions from Mr. Loc Van Tao (Bung Xat village) and Ms. Nguyen Thi Lai (village 2/9).
Regarding the situation of domestic water pollution, house subsidence, and agricultural land erosion, the People's Committee of Chau Khe commune has received petitions from households of Lo Thi Phong, Kha Van Linh, and Ha Thi Nga (Bai Gao village); and petitions from Mr. Thai Dang Lieu and Ms. Hoang Thi Thuy (both residing in Khe Choang village). In addition, they have also received petitions to consider building a bridge in Chau Dinh village, because the water level of the hydroelectric reservoir is rising, affecting people's travel.
Through on-site inspection and research of related records and documents, the People's Committee of Chau Khe commune determined: Regarding the recommendations on house subsidence, pollution of domestic water sources and compensation recommendations due to impacts outside the reservoir area, the competent authorities have inspected and given directions for consideration and resolution.
Specifically, in Document No. 3997/STNMT-QLDD, dated June 16, 2023, Official Dispatch No. 6723/STNMT-BVMT dated September 28, 2023 of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (old); Document No. 9148/UBND-NN dated November 19, 2022 and Document No. 8577/UBND-CN dated October 11, 2023 of the Provincial People's Committee... These documents show and define the responsibilities of Chi Khe Hydropower Joint Stock Company in some contents.
For compensation, support and resettlement within the reservoir area (within the clearance boundary), it is under the authority of the Project Compensation, Support and Resettlement Council. Therefore, to consider and resolve, it is necessary to establish a Project Compensation, Support and Resettlement Council. Therefore, the People's Committee of Chau Khe commune aims to request the investor, Chi Khe Hydropower Joint Stock Company, to send an official dispatch to the People's Committee of the commune to establish a Project Compensation, Support and Resettlement Council, and send staff to participate in the Council to jointly inspect and consider and resolve.
Agree on a plan to handle existing issues
Due to the above contents, on September 17, 2025, Chau Khe Commune People's Committee held a meeting with the leaders of Chi Khe Hydropower Joint Stock Company. Here, Chau Khe Commune People's Committee specifically informed the citizens' reflections and recommendations; requested Chi Khe Hydropower Joint Stock Company to coordinate in making a plan to inspect and review the recommendations, and proceed to develop a plan and roadmap for resolution.
According to Mr. Nguyen The Manh - Chairman of Chau Khe Commune People's Committee, at the meeting, the leaders of Chi Khe Hydropower Joint Stock Company showed a receptive spirit, with the view that it is necessary to review and consider specifically to completely resolve the problems and shortcomings, not to prolong the situation of petitions and complaints from the people.
In that spirit, on September 18, 2025, Chau Khe Commune People's Committee issued Notice No. 69/TB-UBND assigning the Economic Department to preside over and coordinate with relevant departments, offices, and units to advise the Commune People's Committee to establish a Compensation, Support and Resettlement Council for the Chi Khe Hydropower Project to perform tasks according to regulations; issued a document requesting Chi Khe Hydropower Joint Stock Company to send staff in charge to participate in the council to coordinate in implementing compensation work, resolving outstanding and prolonged cases, petitions and complaints.
At the same time, the organization invites and coordinates with independent specialized units to collect samples, test, and inspect water from households according to feedback; then, there is a notice of conclusion on the cause of water pollution as a basis for proposing solutions, remedies, and treatments (if any).
Also in Notice No. 69/TB-UBND, the People's Committee of Chi Khe commune requested Chi Khe Hydropower Joint Stock Company to assign staff in charge to participate in the Compensation, Support and Resettlement Council of the project; provide relevant documents and records to serve the compensation work; coordinate in the work of resolving petitions, especially petitions transferred from agencies, organizations, and direct petitions and recommendations, ensuring timely resolution, avoiding creating hot spots, frustration, and complaints beyond the level.
Propose that Chi Khe Hydropower Joint Stock Company take the lead in coordinating with specialized departments of the Commune People's Committee and related units to review affected households, propose timely support plans; organize payment and compensation for affected households that have had special records established related to grave compensation; have specific support plans to ensure domestic water for people and conduct measurements, prepare records to submit for approval to adjust the reservoir scope.
It is known that on the same day, September 18, 2025, Chi Khe Hydropower Joint Stock Company sent a document to appoint 3 officials to participate in the Compensation, Support and Resettlement Council of the project as requested by Chau Khe Commune People's Committee in Notice No. 69/TB -UBND. Mr. Pham Trung Kien - Deputy General Director of Chi Khe Hydropower Joint Stock Company (one of the 3 officials participating in the Council) said that in the coming time, the Company will coordinate well with Chau Khe Commune People's Committee to review and consider resolving the contents of people's petitions.
Mr. Pham Trung Kien said: “There are contents that will need to be independently evaluated by a specialized unit to ensure objectivity, as a basis for the Company to resolve. However, the Company’s viewpoint is to consider all aspects, including reason and emotion, so that the resolution of people’s petitions is truly thorough…”.