The Prime Minister has approved a $168 million project proposal for Nghe An province.

Project Proposal"Priority infrastructure and urban development adapting to climate change in Vinh City, Nghe An Province"of the provinceNghe AnThe draft received input from central ministries and agencies in 2020. Subsequently, it was compiled by the Ministry of Planning and Investment and reported to the Prime Minister in Document No. 7111/BKHĐT-KTĐN dated October 27, 2020.

Thanks to loans from the World Bank, the urban landscape of Vinh City has been significantly improved. The photo shows a section of the Vinh Citadel moat after renovation. Photo: Nhat Lan

On January 8, 2021, in Document No. 17/TTg-QHQT, the Prime Minister approved the Proposal for the Project “Priority Infrastructure and Urban Development Adapting to Climate Change in Vinh City, Nghe An Province”.

The content of Document No. 17/TTg-QHQT is as follows:

Considering the proposals from the Ministry of Planning and Investment in Document No. 7111/BKHĐT-KTĐN dated October 27, 2020, the Ministry of Finance in Document No. 14995/BTC-QLN dated December 7, 2020, and the People's Committee of Nghe An province in Document No. 9080/UBND-CN dated December 23, 2020, regarding the Project Proposal “Priority Infrastructure and Climate Change Adaptation Urban Development in Vinh City, Nghe An Province” (the Project), financed by the World Bank's IBRD loan, the Prime Minister has the following opinion:

1. Approve the Project Proposal with the contents as recommended by the Ministry of Planning and Investment in the aforementioned document.

2. The Ministry of Planning and Investment officially notified the World Bank about the Project Proposal.

3. People's Committee of Nghe An Province:

- Fully incorporate and address the opinions of relevant agencies during the preparation and completion of the project's pre-feasibility study report, review investment items to avoid duplication and waste, and ensure that WB loan funds are used only for development investment expenditures in accordance with the regulations in Directive 18/CT-TTg dated June 29, 2019, of the Prime Minister and other relevant legal regulations.

- Coordinate with relevant agencies to complete the procedures for appraisal and approval of investment policies and investment decisions in accordance with current regulations.

Flooding during prolonged heavy rains is a major problem in Vinh City that needs attention and resolution. Photo: Nhat Lan

According to Document No. 7111/BKHĐT-KTĐN dated October 27, 2020, from the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the project “Priority Infrastructure and Climate Change Adaptation Urban Development in Vinh City” has the general objective of “Supporting the development of integrated infrastructure and climate change adaptation capacity in Vinh City, contributing to sustainable urban development and creating momentum for comprehensive socio-economic development for Vinh City and Nghe An Province”.

These include four specific objectives:

- Reduce flooding and adapt to climate change in Vinh City through the renovation and upgrading of the drainage system.

- Improve environmental conditions and the quality of life for residents of Vinh City through the renovation and upgrading of the wastewater collection and treatment system.

Due to inadequate infrastructure, the open canal system and most of the regulating lakes in Vinh City are in a state of pollution. The image shows a section of the Vinh Citadel moat, photographed from above, revealing the stagnant and heavily polluted water. Photo: Nhat Lan

- Strengthening connectivity between the central area and developing areas with weak infrastructure will create momentum for the development of Vinh City through the construction of several connecting roads.

- Enhancing urban management capacity; adapting to climate change and controlling flooding for Vinh City.

The renovation and upgrading of the Vinh River is considered one of the important components of the "Priority Infrastructure and Urban Development Adapting to Change in Vinh City" project. The image illustrates the Vinh River after renovation (an idea from the World Bank expert team).

The project "Priority Infrastructure and Climate Change Adaptation Urban Development in Vinh City, Nghe An Province" has a total investment of US$168 million, equivalent to VND 3,903 billion, of which US$130 million, equivalent to VND 3,020.2 billion, is from the World Bank's IBRD loan; and the counterpart funding is VND 882.8 billion, equivalent to US$38 million.