Requesting the enterprise to fill the Po Ko River with soil and rocks to restore its original state

After receiving information from the press, Kon Tum Provincial People's Committee directed the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to coordinate with a number of specialized agencies to inspect and clarify the issue.

During the rainy season, when the river water level rises, rocks and soil can block the river flow. Photo: Duc Nhat

On June 25, 2024, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment coordinated with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Economic Police Department - Kon Tum Provincial Police, Dak Glei District People's Committee, Dak Glei Town People's Committee, the Project Management Board for Investment and Construction of Agricultural and Rural Development Works, Tuan Dung Company Limited and related units to inspect the Po Ko Riverbank anti-erosion embankment project.

Through field inspection, the interdisciplinary team confirmed that Tuan Dung Company Limited had dumped soil and rock along the length of the embankment foot on the left bank of the Po Ko River (in the direction of the flow of the Po Ko River). This is the volume of soil and rock carried out by the construction unit (Tuan Dung Company Limited) to repair the embankment slope due to landslides during the 2022 flood season.

Although the current low water level does not impede the flow of the Po Ko River, during the rainy season when the water level rises it may impede the flow of the river.

The interdisciplinary delegation requested the construction unit to restore the original state. Photo: Duc Nhat

The interdisciplinary delegation has recommended that the Dak Glei District People's Committee direct Tuan Dung Company Limited to be responsible for clearing and transporting the above mentioned amount of soil and rock out of the location and construction area of the Po Ko Riverbank Erosion Prevention Embankment and restore the original state. If the company fails to implement the agreed content in the interdisciplinary working minutes, it will be handled according to regulations.

Relevant departments, offices, and specialized functional units must conduct inspections and handle overlapping construction items within the scope of the Po Ko riverbank anti-erosion embankment project according to regulations.

At the same time, relevant units need to strengthen inspection and supervision of compliance with legal regulations on land, minerals, environmental protection... for projects generating construction waste under construction in the area, to avoid the above cases from recurring.

Previously, many people in Dak Glei town reported that Tuan Dung Company Ltd. dumped rocks and soil on the east side of the Po Ko River, causing the water to divert to the west. This is an alluvial area where people grow crops, so during the rainy season, when a large amount of water flows in, the flow will destroy crops on the west bank.

The Po Ko River embankment project was implemented from 2009 to 2013, but had to be temporarily suspended due to difficulties in arranging capital. In 2019, the project continued to implement the remaining necessary items and the contractor organized the construction, completing it at the end of 2021, ensuring the contract schedule.

However, up to now, the project has not been accepted, paid for and handed over to the local authorities for management and use. Because of fear that the embankment would be damaged and degraded before being accepted, the construction unit, Tuan Dung Company Limited, dumped soil and rocks into the Po Ko River to protect the embankment.

Source: https://laodong.vn/xa-hoi/de-nghi-doanh-nghiep-do-dat-da-lap-song-po-ko-tra-lai-hien-trang-ban-dau-1358557.ldo