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 dig 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 ponds, next to the cassava fields of the locals. Mr. Nguyen Doan B in Hamlet 1, Nhan Son Commune pointed down to the newly dug fields with fresh, new soil, and said indignantly: “Recently, we 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 look, the flat, fertile land has turned into a “pond” in a moment.” Going deeper into the Chao Chao field, we saw many ponds and lakes dug up and gouged.

Mr. B also affirmed: If the commune "sells" the land, then the Do Luong Tunnel Brick Enterprise will dare to come in to scoop up the soil. According to observations, the entire Rao Gang River section is eroded, according to local people's reflections, 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 it 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, and there is a land lease contract between the kiln owner and the commune People's Committee. 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 the polluted smoke and dust from the 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 digging 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 dug up production land, affecting 1 hectare of rice and crop production land of the people. In recent years, to deal with the situation of Do Luong Tunnel Brick Enterprise digging up land affecting the rice fields, people have only known how to use bamboo stakes to drive around the banks to limit landslides.

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 so far has only been able to run 1 line 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 the 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, after being fined, everything went back to the way it was?

Vuong Tran