Minister Nguyen Van Thang answers about BOT, National Assembly member says "not convincing"

There are still many unresolved BOT projects.

Questioning the Minister of Transport on the afternoon of June 7, delegate Nguyen Quang Huan (Binh Duong delegation) stated that after the questioning session at the 3rd meeting, the Minister at that time was very fond of Binh Duong voters, immediately repaired the lighting of Route 1K running through Di An city and assigned the General Department of Roads to issue Document No. 3763 dated June 27, 2022, committing to demolish the toll station and complete procedures to hand over 6km of this road section to local management.

However, both of these have not been implemented yet. In addition, many BOT projects across the country have not been completely resolved, for example, the North Thang Long - Noi Bai Toll Station right at the gateway to the capital has not been dismantled. Resolution 62 of the 15th National Assembly clearly states that "in 2022, all obstacles and shortcomings regarding BOT project toll stations will be completely resolved".

So, Minister, please tell us whose tasks and responsibilities it is when Resolution 62 of the National Assembly is not thoroughly implemented and what is the upcoming solution?

Dialogue - Minister Nguyen Van Thang answers about BOT, National Assembly member says — National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Quang Huan questioned.

Responding to the opinion of delegate Nguyen Quang Huan, Minister Nguyen Van Thang said that the two contents that the delegate mentioned were about the Minister's instructions but have not yet been implemented. He will have this content checked and handled immediately. He committed to the delegate that there is a written document that must be implemented.

The issue is related to some toll stations according to Resolution 62. This content has been implemented recently but has encountered many difficulties, especially related to contracts signed between state management agencies and investors.

According to Mr. Thang, the State and enterprises are very equal when signing contracts, so in the process of handling, the Ministry tried very hard, there were stations that were able to handle the situation, but there were stations that had to continue negotiating.

"We try to achieve the goal, not just negotiate with investors. For example, regarding banks, we also have to organize negotiations with banks, negotiate with investors about having to give up all equity profits, banks have to reduce interest rates, banks even have to waive interest rates... to ensure minimizing losses for investors.

The Minister said that many projects are not the fault of the investor, nor the fault of the State, but due to the development of the economy and society, due to the practical needs arising "need to open this route, need to build that section" which automatically leads to this story. The Minister said that in the near future, 8 BOT projects will continue to be presented.

Dialogue - Minister Nguyen Van Thang answers about BOT, National Assembly Delegate says — Minister Nguyen Van Thang answered questions.

Will be removed thoroughly

Participating in the questioning, delegate Nguyen Thi Thu Nguyet (Dak Lak delegation) stated that after listening to the Minister's response to delegate Le Hoang Anh's question, she basically agreed.

"However, I work in Buon Ho town at BOT toll station km1747 and learned that in 2018, the Ministry of Transport, especially the Department of Road Traffic and businesses, together with the locality, also made a commitment to reduce the toll fee for this BOT station within a radius of 5 km.

Thus, since then, after a commitment during the National Assembly Standing Committee's questioning session, the Ministry of Transport has continued to propose to return this toll station. Today, the Minister answered the question to delegate Le Hoang Anh that he would wait until conditions and sufficient funds were available to return it. I think that such an answer is not convincing to local voters," the delegate said.

At the same time, the Minister is requested to have a specific roadmap in the near future. Before there is a long-term mechanism to return this toll station, the previous commitment must be implemented locally within a 5km radius, which is to reduce road usage fees for local people.

Currently, local people still use this toll station, not as the Minister said, "there are no vehicles at the toll station". The delegate asked the Minister to pay attention to providing information to local voters.

Responding to delegate Nguyen Thi Thu Nguyet , Mr. Thang said that everything must be done according to procedures. The Ministry of Transport is a state management agency, and the Ministry of Transport also has no money.

"We are doing our best to thoroughly remove and protect investors and businesses that are currently investing in BOT projects but are affected by objective conditions.

There is a problem that many stations have been completed but are not allowed to collect fees. If people do not agree to collect fees, then investors must bear it. Based on the signed contracts, when the revenue reaches a certain level, the State must buy it back and this is a term and condition in the contract. We are not giving special privileges or benefits to businesses," said Mr. Thang.

The head of the transport sector said: "The opinion of delegate Thu Nguyet is related to the price reduction within a 5km radius. I will take note of this and check it again."

In the context of two very different opinions on the same project, one side of the investor is having a very difficult time, with no source of income because the fee is being shared because of the bypass, but one delegate said that the people in the surrounding area have not yet received a discount. The people's wishes are also correct and legitimate, because this is an agreement between the business.

"We would like to take note of this content for review, but it must be clear. If there is a commitment or promise, it must be reduced. As for the issue of unsecured revenue, the State will base on the provisions of the law and the terms of the contract to handle it," the Minister stated .

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