Hoang Mai Town: Environmental pollution from coal gathering site

(Baonghean) - The activities of the coal gathering site at Con Creek, opposite the National Historical Site of Con Temple, in Quynh Di Commune (Hoang Mai Town) have caused serious environmental pollution. Although the People's Committee of Hoang Mai Town has issued a decision to suspend the operation and request the return of the leased land to its original state, Phuong Trang Company Limited is still brazenly operating, causing public outrage.

Following Provincial Road 537, leading to Quynh Di Ward, we saw many coal trucks running in the opposite direction, accompanied by smoke and dust. When approaching the mouth of Con Creek, it was easy to see that the water source here was seriously polluted, the road near this area was severely damaged, every time a car passed by, coal dust rose up, affecting the people in the area when passing by. Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong in Phu Loi Block - Quynh Di Ward indignantly said: "Trucks loaded with coal, running day and night, spilling it along the road, for many years we have had to inhale this toxic coal dust". While speaking, she led us into her house and pointed: "Look at the table and counter tops, we clean them every day but they are still covered with coal dust. My two young grandchildren have been coughing constantly because of the coal dust, I don't know when this situation will end". Besides, Ms. Chien Dao in the same Phuc Loi block complained: "Coal dust covers the entire tiled roof, when it rains, black coal water flows into the rainwater tank, making the family not dare to use it anymore, every day we have to buy fresh water from other places to use...".

Coal staging area of ​​Phuong Trang Company Limited.

What is also infuriating is that this “giant” coal dump is located opposite the spiritual area of ​​Con Temple, a National Historical Relic, which is very offensive. According to Ms. Phan Man, who lives near this area, every time there is a northeast monsoon, coal dust flies over and covers the entire residential area and the temple area. She proposed: “We, the people, request that the competent authorities urgently relocate the coal dump to another place to avoid environmental pollution, ensure the health of the people as well as the sacredness of Con Temple…”.

Observing at the scene, the coal gathering point is located on the banks of the Mai Giang River, the water source is black. Special cranes are scooping coal from the bottom of the ship onto heavy trucks. Coal is poured over the truck bed, temporarily covered and then driven along Provincial Road 537 and out to National Highway 1 to supply coal to factories and enterprises, the trucks pass by, coal dust falls and rolls up in the air.

It is known that this coal gathering site supplies coal and stone additives to Hoang Mai Cement Factory and brick factories in the province. In 1999, the People's Committee of Quynh Di Commune, Quynh Luu District (now Quynh Di Ward, Hoang Mai Town) leased 3,000 square meters of land to Mr. Mach Duy Hoang - Director of Phuong Trang Construction and Stone Exploitation Company Limited, contrary to his authority, to make a wharf for business services. The land lease contract was from January 8, 1999 to January 8, 2014. Faced with this situation, the authorities established a team to inspect the situation; the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Hoang Mai Town repeatedly sent official dispatches requesting Phuong Trang Company Limited to stop all activities and hand over the entire site to the local authorities.

Official dispatch No. 600/UBND-TNMT dated August 7, 2014, signed by Mr. Nguyen Huu Tuy - Chairman of Hoang Mai Town People's Committee "on the suspension of coal and other materials gathering activities at the wharf area of ​​Quynh Di Ward", clearly stated: "The Town People's Committee assigned the Quynh Di Ward People's Committee to notify Mr. Mach Duy Hoang to stop gathering coal and other materials at the wharf, dismantle the works, collect materials, and hand over the site. The Quynh Di Ward People's Committee that receives management is not allowed to lease or use for other purposes without the approval of the superiors". However, up to now, the relevant parties have not strictly followed the direction of the Hoang Mai Town People's Committee. Illegal coal gathering in this area still occurs.

The People's Committee of Hoang Mai Town has also assigned the Town Police to inspect and handle vehicles transporting coal and illegal materials at the wharf area, and handle vehicles transporting vehicles that deliberately violate the regulations. The Town People's Committee requested Mr. Mach Duy Hoang to strictly comply with the instructions and hand over the site to the People's Committee of Quynh Di Ward for management before August 15. However, after the deadline, Phuong Trang Company Limited still deliberately did not hand over the site. Mr. Nguyen Quang Dai - Chairman of the People's Committee of Quynh Di Ward said: "We are coordinating with the Hoang Mai Town Police to thoroughly resolve the problem of Phuong Trang Company Limited causing pollution."

To facilitate businesses, the People's Committee of Hoang Mai Town is planning to arrange other suitable premises so that Phuong Trang Company Limited can rent land for operations. However, the pollution caused by this business's operations has been going on for many years and the people of Quynh Di Ward have repeatedly petitioned the authorities to resolve it. Regarding this issue, the government, departments and branches of the town need to take more drastic action, even enforce it, to return the premises in front of Con Temple, contributing to environmental protection, avoiding pollution, affecting people's health...

Article and photos:Van Truong