Many issues following the Nghe An hydropower projects continue to be 'hot'

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Son - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council chaired the explanation session. Photo: Mai Hoa

On the morning of April 25, the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Council held a session to explain the results of the implementation of the conclusions at the questioning session of the Provincial People's Council and the session to explain the resolution of existing problems from hydropower projects in the province.

At the explanation session, Mr. Hoang Van Tam - Director of the Department of Industry and Trade affirmed that implementing the conclusions of the questioning session of the Provincial People's Council at the 6th session of the Provincial People's Council held in July 2018 and the conclusions of the explanation session of the Standing Committee of the Provincial People's Council held in April 2017; the Provincial People's Committee and departments, branches, localities and investors have taken steps to resolve the requirements.

Most successfully, some of the province's recommendations related to the hydropower project were specifically directed by Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung in Notice No. 143/TB-VPCP, dated April 13, 2019.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Hoang Viet Duong requested all levels, sectors and localities to review and assess households in downstream areas at risk of being affected by hydropower projects to proactively have plans to ensure safety. Photo: Mai Hoa

However, there are still many issues that are behind schedule and have problems. For example, the 8 remaining issues of the Ban Ve hydropower project have not been completed to date, although some issues need to be resolved by the fourth quarter of 2018.

Or the Hua Na hydropower project has only 1/6 of its contents completed; the Khe Bo hydropower project has 3 contents all under implementation.

The reason for the delay, according to the Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, is due to problems with legal policies and mechanisms, requiring the direction of the Government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade - the managing unit of the above 3 hydropower projects related to compensation policies on flood levels for affected people; additional investment capital for some arising works and items...

The resettlement area of ​​the Ban Ve hydropower project in Tuong Duong has not yet gained consensus from the people. Photo: Mai Hoa

Investors have not actively cooperated with localities in resolving existing problems in implementing resettlement support policies. Regarding the responsibility of localities related to compensation and support for people, the district's Compensation and Site Clearance Council has changed its personnel, affecting this work.

Research on inter-reservoir operation process options

Based on the explanation of the Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, representatives of a number of provincial departments, branches, localities and investors said that the current difficulties and problems that need to be solved are to speed up the completion of the allocation of rice land and forestry land, ensuring long-term stability of life for the people.

Ban Ve Hydropower Plant flood control. Photo archive

In addition to focusing on overcoming the shortcomings and limiting the "after" effects of hydropower projects, many opinions emphasized that the issue that investors need to pay attention to is ensuring the stability of people's lives and safety through research and revision of the inter-reservoir operation process; having a policy of dredging hydropower reservoir beds, and at the same time proactively grasping the flood situation in the upstream to proactively welcome the flood.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Dinh Viet Hong emphasized the responsibility of investors in coordinating with localities to resolve existing problems once and for all. Photo: Mai Hoa

Concluding the explanation session, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Nguyen Xuan Son highly appreciated the participation of the Provincial People's Committee, departments, branches, localities and investors in resolving the remaining problems after the hydropower resettlement and the consequences of flooding in August 2018.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Council emphasized the requirement that the Provincial People's Committee, sectors, localities, and investors need to have higher and more specific responsibilities before the people to remove difficulties and obstacles in resolving existing problems and limitations, especially production land for people and resettlement for 65 households in Tuong Duong, and reinforcement of infrastructure works in vulnerable areas.

Along with that, the Provincial People's Committee needs to direct the review of regulations on reservoir operations of hydropower projects to promote their effectiveness in practice; at the same time, research and approve strict inter-reservoir operation procedures and proactively develop plans to respond to natural disasters and climate change, ensuring that no incidents occur.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Council Nguyen Xuan Son concluded at the explanation session. Photo: Mai Hoa

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Council also requested the Provincial People's Committee to focus on implementing the Conclusion of Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung on resolving the remaining problems and difficulties "after" resettlement of hydropower projects in Notice No. 143/TB-VPCP, dated April 13, 2019.

For investors, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Council requires greater responsibility and effort, clearly defining a specific time, a decisive attitude, and avoiding the situation of saying and then leaving it at that. On the other hand, besides promoting production, it is necessary to take care of the people's lives in the area.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Council also commented that hydropower planning must ensure scientific and legal compliance.