Regarding the construction of the Song Sao tunnel: Sharing is needed.

(Baonghean) - Information regarding the construction of the Song Sao Reservoir Project reached Baonghean Newspaper through a meeting with constituents held by National Assembly representatives in Dong Hieu commune on September 29, 2014. At this meeting, several constituents from Dong Xuan hamlet, Dong Hieu commune, complained to the National Assembly representatives about the blasting during tunnel construction causing cracks in their houses and affecting the lives of 60 households. To clarify the issues raised by the constituents, Baonghean Newspaper went to the locality to investigate the situation firsthand…

It has been learned that the Song Sao Reservoir Irrigation Project (Phase 2), with a total investment of over 200 billion VND from government bonds, aims to construct 25 km of irrigation canals to irrigate 1,054 hectares of cultivated land and provide water for domestic use in five communes: Nghia My, Nghia Thuan, Dong Hieu (Thai Hoa town), Nghia Long, and Nghia Loc (Nghia Dan district). Specifically, Package 10 involves the construction of a 1.315 km tunnel passing through Thinh My hamlet (Nghia My district) and Dong Xuan and Dong My hamlets (Dong Hieu district), undertaken by a joint venture between Lung Lo JSC and Song Da Investment & Trading JSC. Construction of the tunnel entrance through Dong Xuan hamlet commenced in July 2013.

Sao River Canal Tunnel.

However, construction had to stop after one month because local residents claimed the contractor was detonating explosives without a permit, without notifying the authorities of the blasting schedule, causing noise and tremors in the area. After several meetings and legal checks on the contractor, three months later, the competent authority confirmed that the contractor had the necessary legal conditions for blasting and was allowed to continue construction. However, some households in Dong Xuan hamlet disagreed and submitted a petition requesting compensation for cracks in their houses caused by the blasting. The matter only subsided in January 2014, when the People's Committee of Thai Hoa Town assigned the Dong Hieu commune government, the Project Management Board, and the contractor to cooperate with the households to assess the extent of the impact in order to provide support from the contractor's welfare fund. 29 households received support from the contractor ranging from 3 to 8 million VND. Because the tunnel is 17-30 meters deep, the villagers' well water supply was depleted during construction. The project management board and the contractor rectified this by drilling 9 wells (4 in Dong Xuan hamlet and 5 in Dong My hamlet), installing pumps and pipelines to bring water to each household. At the same time, Dong Hieu commune appointed a Community Monitoring Committee (including members from the hamlet nominated by the residents) to supervise the contractor's blasting operations.

The water tank was supplied by the contractor, drawing water from a well belonging to Ms. Dang Thi Nham's household. Photo: NL - Duc Anh

According to Mr. Ho Cong Sam - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Hieu commune, and Mr. Pham Van Thanh - Head of the commune's police, everything returned to normal until August 28th. On that day, some households in Dong Xuan and Dong My hamlets went to the tunnel entrance to prevent the contractor from continuing construction. On the afternoon of September 29th, the commune organized a dialogue between the project management board, the contractor, and the residents of the two hamlets. At the meeting, the project management board and the contractor agreed to drill additional wells and assign workers to operate water supply to each household so that residents would not waste time pumping water; they also made a written commitment to each family that if the construction project is completed and the residents' well water sources do not recover, they will drill a new well for each family.

Regarding the impact on the architectural structures in Dong My hamlet, the contractor, together with the commune and residents, conducted an assessment of each household. After completion, a reassessment will be conducted to determine if any impact is found, and appropriate compensation will be provided. However, some households disagreed, requesting a second round of compensation for Dong Xuan hamlet; prior compensation for Dong My hamlet; the restoration of the water well source; or the drilling of a new well for each family... Mr. Ho Cong Sam and Mr. Pham Van Thanh stated: "On the day the National Assembly representatives came to meet with constituents, some incited residents brought flags and banners to the meeting hall, causing the commune considerable difficulty in confiscating them. We determined that behind this was the instigation of unscrupulous elements aiming for personal gain."

In reality, the tunnel construction has depleted the well water supply of the residents of Dong Xuan hamlet. However, to compensate, the contractor has drilled wells, installed pumps, and laid pipelines to each household, so there is no shortage of water for daily use. Regarding the complaints about the impact of blasting on the architecture, cracks in the houses are present but not significant. At Mr. Pham Hong Dung's house, which is right next to the tunnel entrance (theoretically, it should be most affected), the impact is not serious. Mr. Dung himself confirmed: "The cracks were there before. When the contractor was constructing and blasting, the aftershocks caused the cracks to enlarge. However, the level of impact is normal...". Contrary to Mr. Pham Hong Dung's attitude, upon hearing that the press had arrived, several residents came to complain. They vehemently claimed that the tunnel construction was a "disaster"; The impact of the mine explosion is enormous, disrupting lives, destroying houses... therefore, support of a few million dong is inadequate... We stayed in Dong Hieu commune to verify the impact of the mine explosion (1:30 PM on October 4th). In reality, there was almost no noise or aftershocks!

Regarding the contractor, the tunnel construction project manager, Mr. Phan Huy Tuan, affirmed that Lung Lo Joint Stock Company is an experienced tunnel construction unit; the design and construction were fully implemented; and the contractor had also been granted a blasting permit by the Department of Industry and Trade with a quantity of 12 kg of explosives per blast. However, due to its proximity to residential areas, to minimize noise and aftershocks, the Project Management Board instructed that only 0.6 kg of explosives be used each time. "We strictly comply with the instructions under the supervision of the Community Monitoring Board. In fact, at the current depth of about 20-25m inside the mountain, the amount of explosives, only 0.6 kg, has no impact whatsoever..." - Mr. Tuan said.

According to Mr. Hoang Van Son, Director of Phu Quy Irrigation Company Limited (the project management unit), the five communes of Nghia My, Nghia Thuan, Dong Hieu, Nghia Long, and Nghia Loc are areas frequently affected by drought. Therefore, the second phase of the Song Sao reservoir project, which will bring water for irrigation, will have a positive impact on the overall economic and social development of these areas. "To implement the project, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development assigned the Nghe An Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as the investor, and Phu Quy Irrigation Company Limited as the Project Management Board. According to the set schedule, the project will be completed by the end of 2014. Currently, only about 300 meters of the tunnel remain to be completed. This is a national project that benefits the people. We have done what needs to be done. We hope that all levels and sectors will get involved in mobilizing and educating the people to understand, share, and create favorable conditions for the contractor to ensure the project is completed on schedule, so that the project can be put into operation soon to serve production and people's lives..." - Mr. Hoan Van Son requested.

In reality, the construction of the Song Sao canal tunnel has impacted the lives of residents in Dong Xuan and Dong My hamlets, affecting buildings and water sources. However, the Project Management Board and the contractor have provided support, installed boreholes, and made commitments. Despite some disruptions to their lives, residents should focus on the project's important goals. The benefits of the Song Sao reservoir irrigation project are clear, contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of Thai Hoa town and Nghia Dan district in recent years. The continued implementation of phase 2 at this time demonstrates the concern of the Government and central ministries and agencies for the people of Nghe An. Therefore, cooperation is needed to ensure the project is implemented on schedule. Regarding the Dong Hieu commune authorities, they need to strictly deal with any instigators or inciters, if any, as reflected in the public's feedback.

Nhat Lan