Voters in the central province of Nghe An praised the answers of Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) Tran Hong Ha on November 15, which mentioned the building of a biological lake to reduce the impact of the recent environmental incident caused by Formosa. 

They expressed hope that Minister Ha will direct the implementation of the project with a commitment to the NA and voters. 

Thach Dinh Nghia, a voter from Dien Bich commune, Dien Chau district, said that along with financial support to fishermen in localities affected by the incident, more specific and effective measures are needed to help them improve their living standards in the long term. 

Nguyen Giang Hoai, Vice Chairman of the Nghe An Association of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, said that voters expect stronger coordination of ministries and sectors in the supervision of large projects, with the responsibility of each agency clarified. 

Projects with high risk of causing environmental pollution should include waste treatment plans, he said. 

He also said that the MoNRE should work harder to prevent incidents like the Formosa one through environment planning, assessment of environmental impacts of projects and polluton control. 

Nguyen Thi Nguyet, Director of the Hai Van Nam Company in the central city of Da Nang , said that she was impressed at the questions the NA raised to Cabinet members, including solutions to deal with projects suffering losses and inefficiency. 

She praised NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan’s work to operate the sessions, helping seek answers for deputies’ questions without rambling. 

Nguyet’s opinions were shared by lawyer Do Phap who spoke highly of the NA leader’s supervision during the sessions, which helped highlight issues of voters’ concern. 

The discussions between deputies and cabinet members showed the democratic manner of the sessions, he said. 

A voter from Son Tra district of Da Nang, Dang Dang Quang, said that the sessions succeeded in underscoring urgent issues in the country, including fake goods and the discharge of water from hydropower plants.

He was satisfied with the explanations of Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong on measures to tackle the issues, but said the answers from the MoNRE Minister were unpersuasive. 

In the northern province of Vinh Phuc, voters recognised the responsible answers of Cabinet members on hot button topics. 

Thanh Hai, President of Vinh Phuc Association of Literature and Art, expressed his worry about the inficiency of State-funded projects , and shortcomings in agricultural production. 

“As a country with the majority of population living on agriculture, Vietnam should deal with the problems of poor quality fertiliser and pesticides,” he said. 

Duong Vinh Thai from the Vinh Phuc Journalists’ Association said that Cabinet members have yet to give effective measures to tackle ineffective businesses, environmental pollution and poor food safety. 

He said he expects better solutions with specific action plans to urgent affairs.

Top legislator orders measures to tackle environmental pollution

Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan requested the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to put forth effective measures to address environmental pollution, during the Q&A session of the 14th parliament’s ongoing second session in Hanoi on November 16.

She summarized the questions raised for Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha, which focused on tackling environmental pollution in rural areas, industrial parks and clusters, and craft villages as well as solid waste treatment, river pollution, and Formosa-caused marine environmental incident in central Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue provinces.

The Minister was also grilled about the management of land, natural resources and mining activities, the prevention of environmental pollution from hydropower projects, and the climate change adaptation, especially saltwater intrusion and drought.

The top legislator asked the Minister to monitor the environmental pollutants and address the consequences caused by the Formosa project to stabilise life of inhabitants in the affected areas.

She urged to ministry to tighten management of natural resources and mining activities, particularly the exploitation of river sand and soil; enact adaptive measures for climate change, salinity and drought; and strengthen management in and clarify responsibilities of separate sectors for evaluating, licensing, inspecting and handling violations in the field.

While taking the floor to field legislators’ questions, Minister Tran Hong Ha said the harmonious coordination between investment licensing and State management agencies and enhanced capacity of officials, especially at district and commune levels, are crucial to protecting the environment and scrutinize the efficiency of investment projects.

Regarding the land management queries, the Minister said it is necessary to complete the granting of certificates for land-use rights and ownership of houses.

He said the country has granted such certificates to over 95 percent of land areas.

However, the granting of the remainder is complicated, he admitted, noting that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will work with all-level authorities to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of the landlords.

This will help improve the land management work, reduce complaints and develop real estate market, he explained.

Answering questions about the maritime environmental incident in the central provinces , the Minister confirmed that the seawater in the region has been safe, and all sport, tourism and aquatic breeding activities could be resumed normally.

VNA