VietNamNet Bridge – Lawmakers discussed draft amendments to the laws on Inland Waterway Traffic and Mobile Police on the first day of the NA Standing Committee's 12th session yesterday, Aug 12.

Vessels in Cho Gao Canal are kept waiting for official direction and control. Lawmakers yesterday discussed tighter measures to ensure inland waterway traffic.

Management over the operation of boats and rescue work were key issues of their discussions on draft amendments to the Law on Inland Waterway Traffic.

NA Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said the law was issued in 2004 and implementation revealed many shortcomings and failures to meet current conditions.

Head of the NA Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Phan Xuan Dung said it was essential to make adjustments to help complete legal framework for waterway traffic, management, exploitation and development to meet new conditions for national socio-economic development.

Waterway traffic had been affected by many factors, including construction of irrigation works, hydro-power plants, mineral exploitation and other production activities, he said.

Many deputies proposed tighter control of registration of waterway traffic, including small-capacity vehicles, to ensure traffic safety.

Chairwoman of the NA Committee for Social Affairs Truong Thi Mai said under the draft amendments, 300,000 or so water vessels with power smaller than five horse power or with a capacity of transporting less than five people would not have to register. It would be therefore be difficult to ensure their safety.

Mai added that in the eight years since the law took effect, only 34 per cent of more than 800,000 water vehicles had registered.

She proposed the draft amendments should clearly regulate management responsibilities of relevant agencies and localities over all vessels.

NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu agreed that the draft amendments should create conditions for people to register their boats but should tighten regulations on ensuring safety.

Deputies also recommended the draft amendments have stricter regulations on rescue responsibilities of relevant agencies.

NA Vice Chairman Huynh Ngoc Son said a boating accident on the Soai Rap River in HCM City early this month killed nine people. It was reported that two vessels operating near the sinking boat did not offer assistance.

Therefore, he said, it was essential to have strict regulations on rescue responsibilities of boat owners, managers and relevant agencies.

The draft amendments will be submitted to the NA for approval next year.

Mobile police

Discussing the draft law on mobile police ordinance, deputies agreed that promulgation would be needed to meet the demands of national defence and society security protection.

NA Vice Chairman Luu said mobile police were a specific operation force with the main task of national security and collaboration with others forces in suppressing criminals and organised crime.

Most deputies said the ordinance should state that mobile police were one of the forces under the Ministry of Security and directly managed by the Central Police's Party Committee.

The ordinance will be perfected before being submitted to the NA Standing Committee for approval in December this year.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said that the Standing Committee would focus activities on preparing for the next session of the NA in October.

Hung said this session would decide many important measures for promoting the country's socio-economic development, national defence and security.

During the eight-day session, the committee will also discuss draft revision to the 1992 Constitution.

They will also offer suggestions on two drafts of decrees on operations of casinos and horse and dog racing and international football betting in Viet Nam.

They will spend a day questioning ministers of Justice and Natural Resources and Environment on problems relating to the two sectors.

Source: VNS