Trucks destroy roads, businesses slow to fix despite promises

Misery because of pollution

For many years, people in Tay Son hamlet, Nghi Yen commune (Nghi Loc) have frequently complained about the situation of trucks carrying soil and concrete destroying the road, causing environmental pollution. The local government has repeatedly issued documents requesting businesses to take measures to limit environmental pollution as well as repair damaged roads, but to date this situation has not been resolved.

According to the reporter's notes, the routeFrom National Highway 1A to Tay Son hamlet, stretching nearly 2 km, in early December, there are many trucks coming and going. The road is full of potholes, and is struggling day and night to carry trucks with overflowing containers. Both sides of the road are covered with fine white dust. Every time a truck passes by, the dust flies up.

Mr. Nguyen Van Dong - Head of Tay Son Hamlet said that this road connecting National Highway 1A to the rehabilitation center was previously paved with asphalt. "But after a short time, there was no asphalt left. The road was completely destroyed, and people were very upset," said Mr. Dong.

Not only do they destroy the road and pollute the environment along this route, the trucks also scatter dirt every time they drive onto Highway 1A. “We do business along Highway 1A, and if we don’t open the door, dust will fly in and cover the house. Many days, I pour a glass of water and before I can drink it, the dust has already covered the glass,” said Hoang Van Bac, a resident living along the road.

According to the latest report of Nghi Yen Commune People's Committee, through contact and feedback from people in Tay Son hamlet, the environmental pollution caused by the production and transportation of materials from soil and rock mines of construction companies such as MCK Company has caused dust and odor, directly affecting the lives of people in the area in general and households living in this area in particular. Not only that, it also affects the ecosystem of Len dam and the water source of households living here.

After receiving comments from the people, the People's Committee of the commune conducted an inspection and found that the road from National Highway 1A to Tay Son hamlet through the mines in the Len Doi area is seriously degraded, the traffic of trucks transporting materials from the mines operates regularly and continuously, the dust and smoke affects the health and lives of the people, although the companies regularly water the road surface to reduce dust and smoke.

According to the report of Nghi Yen Commune People's Committee, the inspection of the mixing stations of these companies showed that the production process operates continuously... The wastewater treatment tanks have not yet met the environmental criteria. The Commune People's Committee has worked with the above companies, proposing solutions to overcome and reduce production to avoid environmental pollution for the people. The companies have committed to replacing new production systems and installing additional misting systems to reduce pollution during the production process.

However, according to residents, the environmental pollution situation has not been resolved. “Previously, they mixed concrete right across from Tay Son hamlet, which was reported by residents as pollution. In mid-2021, they moved inside, nearly 1 km away from the residential area. However, the burning smell still wafts straight towards the hamlet, making it unbearable for us,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Nguyet (43 years old) in Tay Son hamlet.

Need to fix soon

Regarding this issue, in July 2023, after receiving petitions from the people, the Management Board of the Southeast Economic Zone presided over and coordinated with the People's Committee of Nghi Loc district and Nghi Loc district police to conduct an inspection.

The inspection results show that the people of Nghi Yen commune's reflection on the operation of a cement concrete and hot asphalt concrete mixing station of a company in the area causing environmental pollution is well-founded. Specifically, at the time of inspection, this company had not fully implemented environmental protection measures according to the approved Environmental Impact Assessment Report, such as not having a fixed and mobile misting system to suppress dust in the material feeding area and the area for loading and unloading raw materials; The road surface irrigation was not effective. Therefore, the amount of dust generated from production activities and traffic is relatively large. The company has invested in a system to treat emissions from the DO oil burning process, however, at the time of inspection, a burning smell still arose. The company has not conducted periodic emission monitoring, so there is no basis to assess the level of pollution.

Regarding the people's feedback related to the road leading to the project area, according to the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board, due to the circulation of means of transport (with high traffic volume, large tonnage), the road has degraded, not ensuring safety and environmental hygiene. At the time of inspection, this company committed to coordinate with investors of projects in the area to have a plan to upgrade and repair the current road mentioned above, ensuring safety, aesthetics and environmental hygiene in accordance with the provisions of law.

The Southeast Economic Zone Management Board has requested the company to properly and fully implement environmental protection measures according to the Environmental Impact Assessment Report approved by the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board and construct project items in accordance with the master plan for construction. Strengthen measures to irrigate and suppress dust in the project area and the road leading to the project. Take the lead and coordinate with investors of projects in the area to propose investment solutions for construction and upgrading of the existing road from National Highway 1A to the above project implementation area to ensure safety, aesthetics and environmental sanitation in accordance with the provisions of law.

According to the leaders of Nghi Loc District People's Committee, the district has also repeatedly issued documents requesting related companies to take responsibility for watering, cleaning the environment, and minimizing dust generated during the transportation of soil and rocks; Regularly inspect and handle "potholes" on the transportation route from the production areas of the units to National Highway 1A. Notify and instruct drivers to cover and cover the truck bed, absolutely do not carry overloaded materials, do not let them fall on the road, and reduce speed when passing through this section of the road.

Regarding the investment in upgrading the road from Len Doi area to National Highway 1A, Nghi Loc District People's Committee also issued a document requesting that before August 30, 2023, the company coordinate with the design unit to complete the dossier to submit to the District People's Committee. Strive to start construction of the road after September 2, 2023, complete and hand over for use before December 31, 2023. However, up to now, this road has not yet started construction, and certainly will not be able to be handed over and put into use before the deadline set by Nghi Loc District People's Committee.

“Obviously, the damaged road was caused by the companies’ trucks. Last year, they promised to build a new road, but then nothing happened. This year, the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board and Nghi Loc District People’s Committee also sent a written request and the companies also committed to completing the road before December 31, but so far there has been no movement. If we start construction now, we will not be able to meet the committed deadline,” said a leader of Nghi Yen Commune People’s Committee.