The Prime Minister's task force inspects the Electricity Corporation.

On September 15th, the Prime Minister's Task Force inspected the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) regarding the implementation of tasks assigned by the Government and the Prime Minister.

The inspection team, led by Deputy Head of the Government Office Le Manh Ha, Deputy Head of the Prime Minister's Task Force, included members such as Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dao Quang Thu, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Trong Thua, Deputy Inspector General of the Government Dang Cong Huan, Deputy Minister of Justice Tran Tien Dung… and several other officials from the Government Office.

Deputy Head of the Government Office Le Manh Ha speaks at the inspection of Vietnam Electricity Group. Photo: VGP/Ha Chinh

According to Deputy Head of the Government Office Le Manh Ha, in order to build a proactive and action-oriented government as required and committed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the tasks set out must be implemented promptly, on time, and with guaranteed quality.

Noting that EVN is the first state-owned economic group to be inspected by the Prime Minister's Task Force, the Deputy Head requested EVN to report on the implementation of tasks assigned by the Government and the Prime Minister, clearly stating the subjective and objective reasons for any delays.

According to Mr. Dang Hoang An, General Director of EVN, from 2015 to September 10, 2016, EVN was assigned 658 tasks by the Prime Minister and the Government (including tasks assigned to EVN through ministries such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade). Of these, 619 tasks have been completed, and 39 are still underway. Notably, EVN affirms that none of the tasks are overdue.

In summary, EVN stated that during the 2011-2015 period, the Group fulfilled the government's assigned task of playing a key role in ensuring electricity supply for the country. Notably, regarding restructuring and reorganizing production and business, by the end of 2015, it had completed divestment and capital reduction in 7 joint-stock companies, achieving 100% of the required divestment value in the real estate, securities, finance, banking, and insurance sectors, thus preserving capital value.

Regarding administrative procedure reform, fulfilling the tasks assigned in Government Resolution 19, EVN has shortened the time for resolving electricity supply requests for medium-voltage customers from 50 days previously to just 10 days since September 1, 2015. According to independent assessments, customers have noted a significant improvement in electricity supply services and the attitude of electricity company staff.

During the meeting, EVN also presented the Task Force with several issues, difficulties, and obstacles that need to be addressed in the coming period. For example, the Group is currently facing significant challenges in investing in projects and works under new laws such as the Bidding Law, Public Investment Law, Construction Law, and related guiding documents, due to the lengthy procedures and time required for investment preparation and approval through multiple levels.

"We strongly support the government's initiative to propose to the National Assembly the enactment of a law amending several laws on investment and business, especially regarding investment and construction procedures," said General Director Dang Hoang An.

EVN's detailed explanation

Deputy Chairman Le Manh Ha suggested that the working session should focus on tasks, directives, and conclusions directly assigned to EVN by the Government and the Prime Minister. As a business enterprise, EVN rarely receives direct directives and conclusions from the Government or the Prime Minister; these are usually channeled through various ministries and agencies.

According to the interconnected database management system from the Government Office to ministries, agencies, and localities, in 2015, the Government and the Prime Minister directly assigned 25 tasks to EVN, 11 of which were completed, 8 tasks remained uncompleted but within the deadline, and 6 tasks were overdue and unfinished..As of September 10th, 2016, there were a total of 16 tasks, of which 8 had been completed, with 7 tasks within the deadline and 1 task overdue.

During the meeting, members of the working group highly appreciated EVN's efforts in fulfilling its assigned tasks, implementing them quickly and decisively, especially in tasks related to supplying electricity to rural areas and divesting from non-core investments. They also requested EVN to explain and clarify the reasons for overdue and uncompleted tasks, both subjective and objective, identifying obstacles, outlining solutions, and setting completion deadlines, so that the working group can report to the Government and the Prime Minister.

General Director Dang Hoang An provided a clear explanation regarding the six tasks in 2015 that were noted as overdue but not yet completed, such as the development of a plan to bring multi-purpose hydropower plants into competitive power generation, the reform of the Electricity University mechanism, and the development of a smart grid… Accordingly, EVN has completed its part of the work and transferred it to other competent authorities for handling.

To clarify, according to members of the Task Force, there are tasks that EVN has completed but has not yet updated to the interconnected database management system from the Government Office to ministries, agencies, and localities, and therefore are not considered completed. This issue also needs to be addressed in the future.

EVN General Director Dang Hoang An reports to the inspection team. Photo: VGP/Ha Chinh

"Complaints about the electricity sector have decreased significantly."

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Head of the Government Office Le Manh Ha stated that EVN had reported fully, clearly, and specifically to the inspection team on the implementation of assigned tasks. Even the classification of tasks was very detailed and scientific, thereby contributing to more systematic and professional implementation.

Acknowledging EVN's explanation regarding overdue and uncompleted tasks – although further review is needed – Deputy Chairman Le Manh Ha stated that EVN has fully completed all assigned tasks on time.

He agreed with the opinions of the inspection team, acknowledging and highly appreciating EVN's strong transformations in production and business results, restructuring, and improving service quality. Although many issues remain, overall, "complaints about the electricity sector have decreased significantly."

However, EVN needs to provide more clarification and a more detailed report on the quality of its assigned tasks, and also highlight lessons learned that helped expedite task implementation so that these achievements can be replicated.

The Deputy Head suggested that EVN strengthen the application of information technology in its operations, contributing to the development of e-government, thereby enhancing transparency and openness. This is also a solution to connect agencies and monitor the implementation of assigned tasks. The Government Office will discuss and agree further on improving the interconnected database management system from the Government Office to ministries, agencies, and localities.

"EVN has completed the task, but how it was transferred to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, then to the Government Office, which departments and bureaus received it, which specialists have processed it to what extent, and how fast or slow the process is... must be clear and transparent; the matter cannot be 'delayed'," the Deputy Head said.

The Deputy Chairman stated that the Task Force will continue to inspect ministries and agencies in the coming period, emphasizing the need for solutions to conduct more frequent inspections, and especially to enable inspections without direct visits. Regarding EVN's proposals, the Deputy Chairman requested that representatives from the ministries consider these as official recommendations, proactively address them, and report any issues beyond their authority to the Government and the Prime Minister. "It must be clearly demonstrated that the Task Force not only conducts inspections but also receives and handles difficulties and assists the inspected agencies," the Deputy Chairman stressed.

On the other hand, Deputy Head Le Manh Ha argued that the inspection is a two-way process. “Sometimes the delay is due to the ministries and agencies. Minister and Head of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung said that the Government Office also needs to conduct a review, and not just a self-review. In the near future, the Prime Minister's Task Force, led by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Trong Thua, will inspect the Government Office,” Deputy Head Le Manh Ha stated frankly.

According to Chinhphu.vn