VietNamNet Bridge – The HCM City People’s Council meeting opened on December 7. Many deputies of the HCM City People’s Council asked the local government to explain the serious flooding in the city and verify the responsibilities of the relevant agencies. Below are the opinions of some deputies about this issue.

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Pham Van Hai: The city made a positive move when it asked relevant agencies to urgently seek measures to put an end to this problem. However, local residents are very worried about unqualified water supplies and drainage works, some of which even caused deaths, but no individual or agency has been punished. I asked an official of the Department of Transportation and he said that police are still investigating.

Relevant agencies said that flooding is being improved but I see that the situation is getting more serious. Previously, floods were only several decimeters above ground but now flood waters are a meter deep in some places and often result in traffic jams.

Flood-tide is one of reasons for floods in the city, but I observed that several years ago the city paid a lot of money to build the dike of the Saigon River. I don’t know where the money has gone but the city is still flooded whenever there is a flood-tide.

I propose that the HCM City People’s Committee compile a specific report on its investment in building dikes. The city paid up to VND40 billion (over $2 million) to build some anti-flooding works and I would like to know how the investment has benefited the city. This is a great loss!

There are reports which said that the city will no longer flood by 2020 but it seems to be improbable.

Deputy Dang Van Khoa: Flooding has become a big problem in HCM City and the HCM City People’s Committee must take the highest responsibility for it.

To combat floods, we have to put an end to the leveling and encroachment of canals. We also have to build more reservoirs. The most important thing is hiring capable contractors to build dikes and sewage systems.

The construction of reservoirs to control water was raised seven years ago but until now it has not been implemented.

The capability of contractors is also a big problem. We should not hire contractors who offer very low prices because we will have unqualified contractors.

Deputy Huynh Cong Hung: Combating flood in HCM City is a great project so we have to create a comprehensive survey to take right steps.

However, I think that the current flood situation is caused by the violation of construction rules and investments in previously planned anti-flood measures

Deputy Pham Minh Tri: Flood-tides have increased so HCM City’s anti-flood plans have been outdated.

In recent meeting with constituents, they said the HCM City People’s Committee should talk less and take more action. They don’t care about the city’s GDP growth rate but only know that their money has devalued and flooding and traffic congestion have become more serious.

PV