VietNamNet Bridge – Lawmakers yesterday, Oct 30, listened to an assessment report on the Government's construction and operation of hydro-power projects, noting that those that conflicted with environment or affected the safety of residents should be eliminated.

Controversial Dong Nai 5 and Dong Nai 6A hydropower projects rejected

A dam at the Dakrong 3 Hydro-power plant broke last year, causing damages of VND20 billion (US$952,000). Lawmakers agreed that hydro-power plants which conflicted with the environment or affected residents' safety should be eliminated.

According to the report, hydro-power projects have made important contributions to energy security, serving the country's socio-economic development.

Operational hydro-power plants, with a total capacity of 14,240.5 MW, provide about 50 billion kWh of electricity each year to the national grid, meeting 37.5 per cent of the country's current total power demand.

The report claimed that the management of the projects had been ensured in accordance with the law, noting that all problems and damage created by the plants had been promptly handled.

The report by the NA Committee for Science-Technology and Environment hailed the efforts of the Government as well as ministries, sectors and localities. However, it highlighted the need to eliminate projects that affect the environment, threaten the safety of residents, or have low efficiency.

Deputies also discussed the Government's proposal on adjusting and supplementing NA Resolution No38/2004/QH11 dated December 3, 2004, on the construction of the Ho Chi Minh Road running from north to south to help ease congestion on the National Highway 1.

The resolution set the goal of completing the road with two lanes in 2010, and then upgrading the route to meet the national highway standards in 2020.

However, due to difficulties in capital and ground clearance, the project has been delayed, with construction on many sections suspended. In addition, several items on design were adjusted in 2012 to be synchronise with the master plan on highways.

This has led the Government to propose extending the completion date for the road running from Pac Bo Cave in northern Cao Bang Province to Dat Mui area in southernmost Ca Mau Province to 2015, while the road's total length will be expanded to 3,183km, 16km longer than the initial design.

Deputies also debated the draft revised Bidding Law. Deputy Le Cong Dinh from southern Long An Province said it was necessary to outline regulations on discount ratios to raise the effectiveness of designated bidding.

Deputy Nguyen Doan Khanh from northern Phu Tho Province proposed that the revised Bidding Law should specifically and closely regulate designed bidding, especially those involved in bidding packages on capital construction.

Khanh also wanted to add additional regulations regarding the time taken to implement bidding packages. He noted that many investors of designated bidding projects had prolonged construction duration.

Lawmakers also spent time to discuss conditions for individuals who want to participate in bidding, incentives for bidding and the purchase of drugs by hospitals.

NA discusses crime

Earlier on Tuesday, NA deputies in group session also called for further efforts from the Government and relevant agencies to increase the fight against crime and corruption, which is reported to becoming more complex and serious in recent years.

They suggested that the Government report presented at the meeting focus more on analysing crime trends, particularly from the perspective of social issues. They also felt there were new types crimes that should be added to the Criminal Code.

Do Van Duong, representing HCM City, said the Government and all anti-corruption efforts must focus on the most sensitive areas, including people in powerful positions who managed public funding.

Lawmakers agreed that the NA should continue pushing for the implementation of Resolution 37 on fighting corruption in each relevant ministry, sector or agency.

Nguyen Dinh Quyen, deputy chairman of the NA Committee on Legal Affairs, said that despite the many programmes on crime fighting, it seemed the level of crime continued to rise.

Many NA deputies said this was the result of social problems, social degradation and lack of opportunities.

Source: VNS