Do Luong Brick Factory: Illegal land exploitation

(Baonghean) - Without a license to exploit mineral resources, for many years, Do Luong Tunnel Brick Enterprise has arbitrarily used mechanical vehicles to scoop up soil indiscriminately in Nhan Son commune - Do Luong to produce bricks.

Following the dirt road behind the Do Luong Tunnel Brick Factory, we saw deep-dug soil ponds, next to the cassava fields of the people. Mr. Nguyen Doan B in Hamlet 1, Nhan Son Commune pointed down to the newly dug-up fields with fresh, new soil, and said indignantly: "Recently, I saw excavators from the Do Luong Tunnel Brick Factory scooping up soil in the Chao Chao field, and cars brazenly carrying soil. We had to report to the commune before they would withdraw. But you see, the flat, fertile land has turned into a "pond" in a moment." Going deep into the Chao Chao field, we saw many ponds and lakes dug up haphazardly.

Mr. B also affirmed: Only when the commune "sells" the land will the Do Luong Tunnel Brick Enterprise dare to come in to scoop up the soil. According to observations, the entire Rao Gang River section is eroded, according to the people's reflection, the main reason is that the Do Luong Tunnel Brick Enterprise "cuts up" it. The amount of soil that this enterprise scoops up is all pulled up close to the riverbank and then transported by truck to the factory. Next to that is the brick kiln of Mr. Nguyen Duy Thuc (from Hung Yen). This brick kiln has been operating for more than 10 years in Nhan Son commune, between the brick kiln owner and the commune People's Committee there is a land lease contract. Looking at the immense lake, Mr. B said: This brick kiln is also dug too deep, causing landslides in many people's rice fields, not to mention that our people have to breathe in polluted smoke and dust from the brick kiln all year round.

Illegal excavation of soil in Chao Chao field (Nhan Son commune).

Mr. Nguyen Doan Nhuong - Head of Hamlet 2 - Nhan Son confided: We have discussed with Do Luong Tunnel Brick Enterprise about illegal excavation of land, they said that they bought and bid from the commune. The hamlet has 86 households, the production land area (rice, crops) is only over 25 hectares, of which the enterprise has excavated production land, affecting 1 hectare of rice and crop production land of the people. In recent years, to deal with the situation of excavating land by Do Luong Tunnel Brick Enterprise affecting the rice fields, people have only known how to use bamboo stakes to plant around the banks to limit erosion.

Digging soil for brick production causes landslides on Rao Gang river bank.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Ha - Director of Do Luong Tunnel Brick Enterprise explained: The Enterprise was granted a land mine operating over 10 hectares, with a term of use from 2002 - 2006. In 2007, the Enterprise completed procedures to apply for an extension, however, for long-term stability, the Enterprise switched to applying for a 30-year land mine license. However, due to some problems, the licensing procedures have not been completed. Knowing that it is wrong to exploit without a license, we still exploit the land to "hold on". Mr. Ha added: The Enterprise has invested over 30 billion VND in 2 brick production technology lines, and up to now, only 1 line has been running with a capacity of over 18 million bricks/year.

Discussing the issue of Do Luong Tunnel Brick Enterprise illegally exploiting land for many years, Mr. Nguyen Dang Chu - Chairman of Nhan Son Commune People's Committee explained: We do not sell land or bid for land for Do Luong Tunnel Brick Enterprise to operate. The land area of ​​Chao Chao belongs to Nhan Son Commune, but Minh Son Commune encroached on it and Minh Son Commune leased it back to them.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Vo - Chairman of Minh Son Commune People's Committee explained: "Chao Chao land in Minh Son commune encroached on more than 6 hectares of Nhan Son commune's land, which is true. As for the issue of Do Luong Tunnel Brick Enterprise illegally exploiting land, we have not yet had the information to check again...".

It is known that recently the People's Committee of Do Luong district has decided to fine Do Luong Tunnel Brick Enterprise 30 million VND for illegal land exploitation. From 2011 to now, the People's Committee of the district has fined this unit 90 million VND. However, in the past time, after being fined, everything went back to the same old situation?

Vuong Tran