Discussion group 5 of the Provincial People's Council: 'Hot' issue of environmental protection

(Baonghean.vn) - On the afternoon of July 11, the 4th session of the Provincial People's Council, term XVII, 2016 - 2021, entered the group discussion session. At group 5 (including elected Provincial People's Council delegates in Nam Dan, Do Luong, Anh Son districts and representatives of leaders of 9 units in the province), there were many "hot" opinions related to environmental protection work.

Delegate Dang Thanh Tung - Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Council of Anh Son district chaired the discussion session of group 5. Photo: Thanh Son

At group 5, the opinions expressed focused on 14 contents in many different fields, but the most important issue was still environmental protection.

Delegate Ngoc Kim Nam suggested: It is necessary to adjust and redistribute environmental fees for reinvestment. Previously, the financial sector only paid attention to distribution based on population, communes and wards without taking into account areas with factories and mineral mines.

Delegate Ngoc Kim Nam proposed considering the issue of collecting fees and reinvesting in environmental improvement in localities with factories and mines. Photo: Thanh Son

Mr. Hoang Huu Hung - Member of the District Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the People's Council of Do Luong district raised two urgent issues of voters today: First, people request all levels, sectors, and investors to promptly announce the environmental impact of Song Lam Cement Factory on the surrounding area; along with solutions to overcome it. Second, promptly handle the situation of encroachment and construction of waste dumps in the area between Linh Son commune (Anh Son) - Nam Son commune (Do Luong).

Song Lam Cement Factory in Bai Son Commune, Do Luong District. Photo courtesy

Mr. Dinh Xuan Que - Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Dan district proposed that the province support funding for localities in environmental treatment. Specifically, a commune in Nam Dan has collected environmental treatment fees of up to 10,000 VND/person but still not enough to pay the contracted unit to transport the waste to Nghi Yen landfill for treatment.

Mr. Dinh Xuan Que pointed out the shortcomings and difficulties in waste treatment in rural districts today. Photo: Thanh Son

Delegate Nguyen Thi Lan - Deputy Head of the Culture - Social Committee of the Provincial People's Council raised the unresolved issues from the 3rd session of the Provincial People's Council, which are: The environmental pollution situation at Lach Van fishing port "was" resolved very slowly. The issue has been petitioned by voters for a long time, the Provincial People's Council has requested to resolve it since the beginning of the year, but it was not until May 15, 2017 that the Department of Environmental Protection, Dien Chau District People's Committee issued an official dispatch (June 7, 2017) requesting relevant parties to handle it.

Pollution at Lach Van fishing port, Dien Chau district is slow to be resolved. Photo courtesy

At the discussion session, Mr. Tran Quoc Thanh - Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Nghe An province provided specific information on waste treatment and wastewater treatment technology; the representative of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment provided information surrounding the announcement of environmental impact at Song Lam Cement Factory, but did not satisfactorily respond to the questions raised.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Duong pointed out the challenges in achieving the province's growth target of 8-9%. Photo: Thanh Son

In the discussion session, delegate Nguyen Xuan Duong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to coordinate with the investor of Song Lam Cement Factory to announce the environmental impact results and Do Luong district to monitor the implementation of the factory's commitment.

Delegate Nguyen Xuan Duong informed the delegates about the results of socio-economic development, national defense and security of the province in the first 6 months of the year; clearly stated the difficulties and challenges that Nghe An has faced, is facing and will face. In the last 6 months of 2017, Nghe An is determined to fulfill its tasks of ensuring security and order, ensuring social safety; achieving the growth target of 8-9% as set out in the Resolution of the Provincial People's Council... I hope that when the delegates return to the People's Councils of districts, cities and towns, they will focus on improving the quality of life; promote the implementation of inspection and review, and deploy solutions to successfully complete the set targets./.

Thanh Son