VietNamNet Bridge – The Hanoi People’s Council on December 7 discussed the city’s economic and social situation in 2010. Many deputies were interested in the transparency of spending for the city’s 1000th anniversary.

Hoa Binh Park, a project to celebrate Hanoi's 1000th anniversary.

Deputy Nguyen Viet Hung said that the anniversary was Hanoi’s largest event this year. On this occasion many of the city’s achievements have been recognized. However, there are many matters that must be considered.

Hung said that the city’s incomplete newly-built works revealed that the local government didn’t plan well, a situation that could be well described as “letting grass grow under their feet”.

He said that works built to celebrate the city’s 1000th anniversary also showed that Hanoi was keen on unreal achievements. The two examples are Thang Long avenue and Hoa Binh park. The city held the inaugurational ceremonies for these works even though they were not completed.

He said that Hanoi has had to continue many works after the great anniversary, especially after the inspection of the Thang Long avenue project by the Government Inspectorate. Hung questioned how many works in Hanoi need inspection.

The deputy was very anxious because Hanoi authorities did not submit the expenditures report for the 1000th anniversary to the ongoing People’s Council meeting.

“The National Assembly questioned Hanoi about this issue and the city promised to submit the report to the Hanoi People’s Council meeting but they didn’t. We have to be transparent in spending to avoid the public’s suspicion about misspending,” Hung said.

Other deputies, including Bui Thi An and Vu Duc Tan, also proposed the city publicize the report earlier. An suggested to check the quality and investment in some key works.

Tan said that the total spending on the great anniversary is countable.

“The city must make clear the capital from the state budget and from the people and how much it spent on cultural events, etc. The people want to know this,” Tan said.

Related to the city’s economic and social report, deputy Bui Thi An said Hanoi’s GDP growth rate in 2010 is high (11 percent) but not sustainable.

Deputy Trieu Dinh Phuc doubted the city’s goal of 12 percent GDP growth rate for next year.

PV