A bright spot in public investment disbursement.

Việt Nam•05/07/2024

Thanks to close supervision and management, and a practical approach to resolving difficulties, by the end of the first six months of 2024, the Provincial Project Management Board for Civil and Industrial Construction Projects (Civil Engineering Board) was one of the leading units in disbursement. With a disbursement rate exceeding 50%, the Board has become a shining example in the province's disbursement efforts.

The access road to Ben Rung Bridge, with the Board as the investor, has been basically completed and is expected to be put into use in July 2024.

The adjusted 2024 public investment plan of the Civil Affairs Department is 1,178 billion VND to implement nearly 20 projects, including both new and ongoing investments. Among these are many key projects such as the riverside road section from Dam Nha Mac intersection to Provincial Road 338; the road connecting the Ha Long - Hai Phong expressway (km6+700) to Provincial Road 338; the complete construction of the Dam Nha Mac intersection and investment in the access road project to Ben Rung bridge; the Provincial Communication Center headquarters, etc. These are all key projects of the province, significant in connecting regions, promoting socio-economic development in the area, and attracting investment.

However, these projects are also being implemented under extremely difficult conditions, with large site areas, complex land clearance procedures involving many households, and the need to convert forest land. The area's geology is primarily swampy, so all four projects are situated on weak soil, while local materials, especially soil and sand for embankment, are scarce. This has caused the projects to drag on for many years, with prolonged delays in compensating for the remaining work volume due to advance payments from contractors, significantly impacting the Board's disbursement plan.

In this context, recognizing public investment as a resource and driving force for economic growth, and closely following the directives of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee on accelerating the disbursement of public investment... from the beginning of the year, the Civil Affairs Department unanimously reorganized the disbursement steering committee, with the Director of the Department serving as the head. Along with this, they implemented capital allocation from the beginning of the year; reviewed and compiled difficulties and obstacles, and reallocated capital plans between projects with slow disbursement to projects with high disbursement potential and a need for additional capital; and proposed solutions to report to the Provincial People's Committee for timely guidance to promote implementation and disbursement, and improve the efficiency of capital utilization.

Construction on the Dam Nha Mac interchange has resumed after obstacles were overcome.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Duyen, Director of the Project Management Board for Investment and Construction of Civil and Industrial Works, stated: Identifying the disbursement of public investment capital as a key and important political task, the Board's leaders have consistently monitored the practical situation to urge and direct the resolution of difficulties and obstacles arising in each project. Along with this, they have strengthened inspection, supervision, and post-audit processes, strictly handling violations; closely controlling advance payments and final settlements; recovering overdue advance payments; and focusing on completing payment documents according to regulations. At the same time, they have requested investors and contractors to take advantage of favorable weather conditions, improve construction capacity in terms of both equipment and personnel, ensure the progress, volume, and quality of the projects, and accelerate the implementation of the projects...

By the end of the first six months of 2024, all four projects under the Board's management had achieved disbursement targets, with 616/1,178 billion VND disbursed, reaching 52.33% of the adjusted public investment capital plan (60.2% compared to the initial allocation plan). This rate is higher than the national and provincial averages, ensuring the target of achieving 50% disbursement by the end of the first six months of 2024 is met.

To continue achieving the year's public investment disbursement target, the Board will continue to maximize the role of the members of the disbursement promotion task force; requiring task force members to regularly monitor the construction sites of assigned projects, promptly identify difficulties and obstacles in implementation, and closely coordinate with relevant units and localities to find timely solutions. At the same time, implement a rotation system, assigning capable, qualified, experienced, and legally knowledgeable personnel to monitor, supervise, and oversee projects; proactively allocate funds between projects; focus on completing payment documents according to regulations; and strictly control and prevent the accumulation of outstanding construction debts...

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