Lesson 1: Be closer to the people, serve the people better!

Along with the rest of the country, Nghe An is actively, urgently, and decisively implementing the restructuring of commune-level administrative units and building a two-tiered local government model in accordance with the Central Government's policy... Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Duc Trung affirmed: "Nghe An is a revolutionary homeland, so we will certainly carry out the revolution in streamlining the administrative apparatus in the most thorough way!"

Decisive and proactive

Over the past period, closely following the directives from the Central Government, the Provincial People's Committee, and the Department of Internal Affairs, localities in Nghe An province have proactively and actively prepared plans for rearranging and reorganizing commune-level administrative units. For example, in Thanh Chuong district, based on consultations with the people, intellectuals, and former leaders from various periods, the district has developed 8 plans (rearranging 6-14 communes out of a total of 29 communes and towns); at the same time, selecting and locating new administrative and political headquarters in convenient locations for citizens and businesses.

The Provincial Steering Committee for the reorganization of administrative units at all levels held a meeting to discuss several key issues. (Photo: X.Hoa)

In Quynh Luu district, from its current natural area of ​​439.78 ^km² , population of 336,617 people, and 25 communes and towns, the District Steering Committee has agreed on a plan to reorganize into 7 new commune-level administrative units, reducing the number by 18 units (a 72% reduction). Simultaneously, the district has also developed a plan for the reorganization of officials and civil servants; and assigned sequential numbers from 1 to 7 to the new communes to facilitate the digitization and updating of data. Similarly, in Nghi Loc district, based on a review of all 23 commune-level administrative units that did not meet the required standards, the district has also developed a plan to reorganize into 7 new communes (a 69.5% reduction) based on various criteria.

Regarding Yen Thanh district, Deputy Secretary of the District Party Committee Hoang Danh Truyen shared that, in implementing Conclusion No. 127/KL-TW dated February 28, 2025, of the Politburo, the district has assigned departments, sectors, and localities to enhance their sense of responsibility in performing their duties; prepare comprehensive plans for the management and use of offices, assets, and finances; proactively organize and arrange files in scientific and easily archived fields to prevent file loss; and at the same time, strengthen inspections of compliance with administrative discipline and order for subordinate organizations and units, promptly detect and handle violations and shortcomings, and take corrective and preventive measures.

Along with Thanh Chuong, Quynh Luu, and Yen Thanh districts, localities such as Tan Ky, Dien Chau, and Ky Son are also carefully studying plans for the rearrangement and merger of communes, adhering closely to the principles and standards of rearrangement as outlined in Conclusion No. 137 dated March 28, 2025, of the Politburo and the Secretariat. This involves rearranging communes in a way that reduces the current administrative units by approximately 50% and avoids the formation of "miniature districts," aiming to bring officials closer to the people, better serving citizens and businesses.

According to leaders in many localities, the plans for rearranging commune-level administrative units have taken into account factors such as development planning, population size, area, and suitability to the long-standing customs and traditions of the people. Alongside developing plans for reorganizing the administrative apparatus, districts and towns have also instilled a high level of teamwork and solidarity among officials, considering this a criterion for evaluating officials during the administrative unit rearrangement process.

According to Hoang Mai Town Party Secretary Le Truong Giang, the town is focusing on addressing urgent issues such as compensation for land clearance for important provincial investment projects in the area, creating momentum for the province's development. "If the town government doesn't resolutely carry out these tasks, it will be more difficult when they are handed over to the grassroots level later. This can be seen as an opportunity for officials to demonstrate their responsibility to the people," Mr. Giang shared.

Building consensus among officials, Party members, and the people.

"Implementing the reorganization of commune-level administrative units and building a two-tiered local government organizational model is an extremely important and meaningful task," emphasized Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Duc Trung, adding that the most important goal is to build a government that is close to the people, responsive to their needs, and provides the fastest and most effective service to the people.

The working group of the Provincial People's Committee on reviewing, researching, and orienting the rearrangement of administrative units at all levels inspected several construction projects in Hoang Mai town.

According to Provincial Party Secretary Nguyen Duc Trung, in recent times, Nghe An has focused on implementing the reorganization of the political system's apparatus in accordance with resolutions, conclusions, and guidelines from the Central Government; specifically, the Provincial People's Committee has established 5 working groups, headed by Vice Chairmen of the Provincial People's Committee, to work with districts, cities, and towns to review and provide guidance on the plan for reorganizing administrative units, assigning cadres and civil servants, using public assets, and establishing new administrative headquarters after reorganization...; at the same time, understanding the thoughts and aspirations of district and commune-level officials and the people, thereby proactively planning and implementing measures when the new government comes into operation.

Besides the efforts of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee, localities in Nghe An have also proactively developed restructuring plans; the implementation process has closely followed the principles and criteria as prescribed; propaganda and mobilization work has been done well, basically creating consensus among officials, Party members and the people… “The Department of Internal Affairs has closely followed the directives of the Central Government, proactively and promptly advised and issued guiding documents, developed appropriate and flexible plans to suit the province's reality; advised the Provincial Party Standing Committee to establish the Steering Committee, the Steering Committee's activity plan, the restructuring plan for commune-level administrative units, the announcement of task assignments for members, and the plan for soliciting voter opinions…”, the Provincial Party Secretary assessed.

Speaking at a recent meeting of the Provincial Steering Committee for the reorganization of administrative units at all levels, Director of the Department of Internal Affairs Nguyen Viet Hung emphasized that the Steering Committee respects the proposals of localities in developing plans, but must ensure harmony to achieve an overall reduction rate across the province, avoiding a uniform, mechanical, or rigid approach. Along with reorganizing the administrative apparatus towards a streamlined, efficient, and effective system, it is also necessary to restructure and improve the quality of cadres, civil servants, and public employees, ensuring that commune-level governments are closer to the people, understand their needs, and serve them better.

Nghe An province has 412 commune-level administrative units, including 362 communes, 33 wards, and 11 towns. Following the restructuring, a plan was proposed to reduce 282 commune-level administrative units (a reduction of 68.45%), leaving 130 communes (11 wards and 119 communes)... Of the 130 restructured administrative units, 126 new units meet the prescribed standards; 4 new units do not yet meet the prescribed standards but possess unique characteristics.

Diep Anh

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/bai-1-gan-dan-phuc-vu-dan-tot-hon-post411108.html