The Cam Lam - Vinh Hao expressway is 78.5km long, passing through three provinces of Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan. Illustrated photo: ST

Many positive changes

As of April 30, 2024, the total disbursed capital of nine important national projects in the transportation industry is more than VND16,494 billion, reaching 17.6% of the assigned 2024 plan (more than VND93,843 billion VND), of which, central budget capital is more than VND15,232 billion, reaching 21.2%; local budget capital is more than VND1,262 billion, reaching 9.7%. Thus, the disbursement results of important national projects are equivalent to the average 4-month disbursement rate of the whole country (16.64%).

In the report on this work of the working group led by the Minister of Finance in three provinces of Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, the result is also very positive. In Binh Dinh, site clearance work to serve the Eastern North-South expressway project in the 2021-2025 period passing through the province has been completed and handed over to the investor 99.8%.

In Khanh Hoa, site clearance work to serve key national transportation projects implemented in the province also had positive changes compared to the end of February 2024. In particular, the Cam Lam - Vinh Hao component project has completed site clearance work and is currently under construction; the Van Phong - Nha Trang component project has basically completed handing over 100% of the site for the investor and is currently under construction, expected to be completed in 2025; Tthe Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot expressway project has handed over more than 74% of the site, is currently under construction and continues to carry out site clearance, expected to be completed in 2026. .

In Phu Yen, site clearance work for the Eastern North-South expressway project through the province as reported at the end of February 2024 completed 97.49%.

Completing site clearance work

Regarding problems related to key national projects, according to the Ministry of Finance, site clearance in some provinces (Dong Nai, Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Quang Ngai, Khanh Hoa , Kien Giang, Hung Yen...) is still slow and has not met the construction schedule. The relocation of the high-voltage power line system has not met the described schedule, especially in areas that need treatment due to soft ground. Procedures for adjusting Resolution No. 273/NQ- UBTVQH15 of the National Assembly Standing Committee on the policy of converting the use purpose of forests, forest land and wet rice cultivation land for two or more crops are slower than required, affecting the allocation of materials for the Hoai Nhon - Quy Nhon project (Binh Dinh province).

Regarding construction materials, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have given many instructions as well as directly worked many times with localities to solve problems; mining work in many projects has had positive changes, however, the source of soil materials for road embankments in the Southeast and Southwest regions has not been completely resolved, and the use of sea sand has been deployed slowly with limited number.

Regarding construction implementation, the progress of some projects is behind the schedule due to problems with site clearance and lack of foundation materials. Regarding investment procedures, Hanoi City in the process of implementing component project 3 of Hanoi Ring road No.4 project in the form of public-private partnership (PPP) encountered problems related to the application of the Investment Law under PPP method.

The resolution of these problems has been raised many times by the Government and the Prime Minister with ministries, central and local agencies. The Ministry of Finance has also repeatedly requested ministries, central and local agencies to continue to seriously and drastically implement solutions to promote disbursement of public investment capital, especially in accordance with the instructions of the Prime Minister- Head of the Steering Committee at meetings of the State Steering Committee for national key programs and projects.

For the three provinces mentioned above, the Ministry of Finance recommends that the provinces need to focus on removing difficulties and obstacles in implementing large-scale infrastructure projects, ensuring the supply of construction materials for expressway projects, especially it is necessary to coordinate with ministries and central agencies to completely resolve site clearance work for expressways in their areas.

In early May, at the 11th meeting of the Steering Committee, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested ministries and agencies to immediately set up a working group to work with localities to promptly solve problems. The Prime Minister hopes that ministries, central and local agencies, especially the leaders, will promote a positive spirit and take the initiative to take action promptly; contractors, consultants, supervision contractors, and construction contractors promote the spirit of serving the country and the people; people and businesses join forces to at least ensure progress and strive to exceed project progress by 3 to 6 months.