Delegates questioned the responsibility for fire prevention and fighting in Hanoi.

Socializing the provision of fire extinguishers.

Representative Duy Hoang Duong (Hoai Duc district) questioned that despite numerous directives on fire prevention and control issued by Hanoi City, many fires still occur. He requested that the Director of the Hanoi City Police Department clarify the responsibilities of the relevant units.

Representative Duy Hoang Duong (Hoai Duc district) at the questioning session. Photo: Thanh Hai

Responding to a question from delegate Duy Hoang Duong, the Director of the Hanoi City Police, Nguyen Hai Trung, stated that this is a pressing issue not only for Hanoi but for the entire country. Regarding the implementation of Resolution 05/NQ-HĐND dated July 16, 2022, of the Hanoi City People's Council, immediately after the resolution was issued, the unit conducted a review of over 2,980 establishments that did not meet fire safety requirements. The results showed that 2,971 establishments committed to a timeline for implementation; 2,963 establishments developed implementation plans; 2,935 establishments had their implementation plans approved by the district-level People's Committees; 735 establishments had established budget estimates; and 146 establishments had prepared design documents...

Regarding existing shortcomings and limitations, currently 2 districts/counties have not completed the process of urging establishments to develop commitment plans according to the roadmap; 3 districts/counties have not completed the approval of commitment plans/roadmaps for implementation by establishments; 20 districts/counties have not completed the process of urging establishments to conduct preliminary surveys of implementation costs; and some districts/counties have overlooked establishments within their management areas.

Compared to the city's target for 2024 of completing the remediation of at least 70% of facilities (corresponding to 2,086 facilities), only 91 facilities have completed the remediation of existing fire safety deficiencies, so it is highly likely that the units will not meet the city's target.

Hanoi City Police Chief Nguyen Hai Trung answers questions. Photo: Thanh Hai.

Explaining the reasons, Hanoi City Police Director Nguyen Hai Trung said that there are many subjective and objective reasons for this issue, including subjective reasons such as the lack of genuine concern from some district and town People's Committees; insufficient coordination with departments and agencies; and some heads of establishments not having a correct understanding of the role of fire prevention and control; and not paying attention to fire prevention and control.

"There are many difficulties and obstacles in this work. In the past, the City People's Council has paid great attention to this work, and the issuance of the Resolution on Fire Prevention and Control at the session has contributed to resolving the current shortcomings and limitations in fire prevention and control work," the Director of the City Police Department stated.

Regarding future directions, Hanoi City Police Director Nguyen Hai Trung stated that units that have not yet completed the task of urging facilities to develop commitment plans and estimated implementation costs must do so urgently; district-level People's Committees must approve the commitment plans and implementation timelines for 100% of facilities under their management. In particular, Hanoi City departments and agencies, and district-level People's Committees must immediately address shortcomings and limitations in fire prevention, control, and rescue work at facilities, units, and subordinate units under their management.

At the same time, proactively review the progress of addressing shortcomings at facilities to guide them in implementation. For facilities that committed to completion in 2023 but have not fulfilled their commitment, work must be done to require them to comply. The Department of Finance will continue to guide and urge city departments and agencies to implement the resolution according to their functions in managing and using the city's budget, preparing budget estimates, and addressing shortcomings in fire prevention and control as stipulated in the resolution.

The Department of Construction will continue to lead the coordination with the People's Committees of districts, counties, and towns to conduct a comprehensive inspection, review, and inventory of old apartment buildings that are subject to the resolution's adjustments but have not yet been included in the list of old apartment building renovation and reconstruction projects in the city.

Delegates attending the question and answer session

Regarding the implementation of Resolution 26-NQ/HĐND TP of the Hanoi People's Council concerning the target of 100% of households being equipped with fire extinguishers and 100% having a second escape route, the Director of the Hanoi Police Department, Nguyen Hai Trung, stated that to date, 1,481,237 households have equipped themselves with fire extinguishers (reaching 86.43%); 75.3% of households have opened a second escape route; 13 out of 30 districts have not yet completed the task of households opening a second escape route; and 20 units have not yet ensured 100% of households have equipped themselves with portable fire extinguishers.

The reasons stem from the large number of households, coupled with the fact that some local authorities have not shown genuine interest in directing and proactively fulfilling their functions and duties in state management of fire prevention and control, considering this work solely the responsibility of the police force. At the same time, the awareness and understanding of fire prevention and control among some heads of establishments and household owners remain complacent, prioritizing economic production and profit above all else, neglecting fire safety; and infrastructure planning has not kept pace with socio-economic development, with many narrow alleys and streets preventing fire trucks from accessing the water supply system necessary for firefighting.

Regarding the procurement of fire extinguishers, the Director of the Hanoi City Police Department stated that currently, the percentage of households that have not yet equipped themselves with them is relatively high, and further efforts are needed in the future.

"It's very difficult for families to equip themselves with fire extinguishers because many households don't even have enough to eat. Therefore, I suggest that if wards and communes have the resources, they should purchase and distribute them to households, and then implement a social mobilization program," proposed Hanoi City Police Director Nguyen Hai Trung.

Enhancing accountability in the performance of official duties.

Concluding the questioning session on the group of issues related to the implementation of discipline, order, and responsibility in the performance of official duties at state agencies under the City People's Council, Chairman of the City People's Council Nguyen Ngoc Tuan stated that 29 delegates had asked questions and engaged in debate. Participating in answering the questions were the Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, Directors of Departments and Agencies, Chairmen of the People's Committees of districts and counties, and 2 Directors of Project Management Boards.

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Council Nguyen Ngoc Tuan delivers concluding remarks on the questioning session. Photo: Thanh Hai

Following the questioning session, the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Council, Nguyen Ngoc Tuan, drew several conclusions. Specifically, strengthening discipline and order, and enhancing responsibility in the performance of official duties in state agencies are of great importance, especially for Hanoi. Recognizing this significance, in recent years, the city has consistently adopted the theme: "Discipline, responsibility, action, creativity, and development." On August 7, 2023, the Standing Committee of the Hanoi Party Committee issued Directive No. 24-CT/2023/TU on "Strengthening discipline, order, and responsibility in resolving work within the political system of Hanoi," thereby creating a fundamental shift in the awareness and actions of Party committees, government agencies, and the political system from the city level to the grassroots, initially yielding positive results.

However, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Council Nguyen Ngoc Tuan also stated that, in addition to the achievements, through the supervision of the People's Council and the questions raised by its members, some shortcomings and limitations remain, such as: The issuance of regulations, the development and implementation of work programs, the assignment of tasks, and the inspection and supervision of task implementation at some agencies and units are not clear, not decisive, and not effective.

Administrative reform efforts, including improving the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) and the Provincial Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI), have not met expectations and are showing a downward trend. Some administrative procedures, internal processes, standards, and unit prices are still slow to be issued. There is still a problem of overdue administrative procedure processing, and the results of these processes do not meet the requirements of citizens and businesses.

The process of advising and proposing to the People's Council and People's Committee on the issuance of mechanisms and policies of the city is still slow; many contents have to be postponed or delayed, and the quality of the documents is not guaranteed.

The implementation of resolutions and conclusions from the City People's Council and its Standing Committee in some units and localities has not been serious or effective. Some issues that have been monitored or re-monitored have shown slow progress, failing to meet committed deadlines and have not been implemented effectively. Some well-founded voter recommendations have not been resolved completely and thoroughly.

Coordination among some departments, agencies, districts, and towns is still lacking in tightness and effectiveness, especially in resolving obstacles and difficulties, and addressing complex issues.

There are still some officials and public employees who have not seriously complied with discipline, regulations, and assigned tasks; there is a lack of responsibility, avoidance, shirking of duties, vague advice, unclear viewpoints, a "retreating" mentality, and a reluctance to act.

Based on the questions raised by the Hanoi City People's Council and the responses from the Hanoi City People's Committee, departments, agencies, and district/county People's Committees, the Chairman of the Hanoi City People's Council, Nguyen Ngoc Tuan, requested the Hanoi City People's Committee and the Chairman of the Hanoi City People's Committee to direct: fully incorporate the opinions of the City People's Council delegates and develop a plan to address the shortcomings and limitations that have been identified. Review all assigned tasks and responsibilities as directed by the Central Government, the National Assembly, the Government, the Prime Minister, the City Party Committee, and the requirements following supervision, questioning, and explanations from the City People's Council and its Standing Committee, in order to ensure quality and timely implementation.

Regarding the specific conclusions reached during this questioning session, they will be compiled and submitted to the City People's Council for the issuance of a Resolution on the questioning session.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/dai-bieu-chat-van-ve-trach-nhiem-phong-chay-chua-chay-tren-dia-ban-ha-noi.html