Trung Tam Ward Farmers' Association: Contributing to the creation of a new urban area

Over the years, the Farmers' Association of Trung Tam Ward has played a good role as a "bridge" between the Party Committee, the government and farmers in site clearance work, paving the way for local development.

In recent years, Trung Tam ward has been identified as a key area of ​​Lao Cai province in implementing a series of large projects and works, such as: The project of regulating lake at Chao Ha 1, highway connecting road, Ban Le - Phan Thuong residential area, Phan Thuong - Sa Ren route, Chao Ha 1 - Ban Xa...

The total area of ​​land recovered is up to more than 58.2 hectares, directly affecting thousands of households, most of whom are farmer members.

Leaders of Trung Tam Ward and Farmers' Association inspected and surveyed construction works and projects under construction in the area.

The fields and fields that have been attached to farmers for generations suddenly become “project areas”. Such a change is never easy for farmers, because it entails changes in their livelihoods and living environment. Therefore, the work of site clearance in the ward has encountered many obstacles, and at times it seemed to be at a standstill.

“Almost all key projects in the ward are located on agricultural land . The land acquisition greatly affects the lives and jobs of the people. Therefore, the Farmers' Association of the ward identifies the work of propaganda and mobilizing people to comply with compensation and site clearance policies as a key political task” – Mr. Hoang Viet Cu, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Trung Tam Ward shared.

It is not just a matter of propaganda, it is also a matter of trust: how to make people understand, agree and see the long-term benefits of strategic projects.

Propaganda, mobilization, and guidance for people on administrative procedures related to site clearance.

With a high proportion of farmer members, the Farmers' Association of Trung Tam Ward has promoted its role of being close to the people, sending cadres to each household whose land has been recovered to mobilize, listen to thoughts and aspirations, and explain the State's policies.

Propaganda forms are flexibly innovated through conferences and neighborhood meetings; sometimes through intimate chats over a cup of tea or dinner.

Accordingly, from 2020 to now, the Ward Farmers' Association has coordinated to organize over 152 propaganda sessions at meetings, promptly grasping public opinion and resolving members' concerns. All opinions and recommendations of members are compiled, reflected and proposed by the Ward Farmers' Association to competent authorities for resolution.

“We follow the motto “slow and steady wins the race”, “whatever the target, whatever the form”. When people understand and trust, everything becomes easier” – Mr. Hoang Viet Cu, Chairman of the Ward Farmers’ Association affirmed.

By doing this, nearly 100% of farmer members whose land was recovered voluntarily handed over the site, contributing to speeding up the progress of key projects.

The lands that were once fields and fields have now become new roads and residential areas, marking the beginning of urban space. A modern urban area is gradually taking shape. Ms. Lo Thi Hoa, a resident of Ban Chao Ha 1, shared: “At first, when I heard about the land acquisition for road construction, I was also worried because it was my family’s rice fields and gardens that I had been attached to for many years, the source of my family’s livelihood. But after the officials explained clearly the compensation policy and procedures, I understood that this was a common matter, for the development of my hometown. Now, looking at the wide and beautiful road and the spacious residential area, everyone is happy. Although we lost some productive land, in return our hometown has changed and our lives are better than before.”

People proactively demolished fences to serve construction projects in the ward.

At Chao Ha 2 residential group, where many farming households were affected by the reservoir project, the initial mobilization work also encountered many difficulties. However, with the perseverance and prestige of mass organizations, concerns were gradually resolved.

Ms. Lo Thi Bich, Head of Chao Ha 2 Residential Group, said: “The Fatherland Front, Farmers’ Association and other organizations of the ward have done a very good job of promoting the role of prestigious people in the community to propagate and mobilize the people. Thanks to that, people all understand, agree and voluntarily dismantle houses and crops, handing over the site on schedule. Now looking at the new, spacious road, everyone is happy and excited.”

Leading examples such as the family of Mr. Lo Van Khoa, Mrs. Hoang Thi Doan, Mr. Hoang Van Hoa… when voluntarily relocating and handing over land have become a “fire” spreading the spirit of consensus among the entire population. Each old house was replaced by a new, spacious road, each plot of rice field gave way to a vast regulating lake, reflecting the rows of high-rise buildings of Trung Tam ward, demonstrating the trust and solidarity between the government and the people.

Farmers' Association, organizations and people actively participate in supporting projects and works.

According to Mr. Lo Van Hai - Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Trung Tam Ward: "Compensation and site clearance work is always difficult, directly affecting the interests of the people, if not done properly, it can easily lead to complications. Therefore, the ward always determines to maximize the role of the entire political system, in which the Farmers' Association is the core force".

Together with the Fatherland Front and other organizations, the Farmers' Association not only propagates but also actively advises and proposes measures to support members after their land is recovered, such as: vocational training, job introduction, economic restructuring, and livelihood. Thereby, helping farmers adapt to the new living environment, stabilizing their lives and production.

Not only that, the Ward Farmers' Association also cooperates with the government to promote administrative procedure reform in the land sector, ensuring democracy - publicity - transparency in each stage.

"When people see clear procedures and transparent policies, they will believe and voluntarily comply," Mr. Hai emphasized.

The completion of major projects and works not only brings a new look to the Central Ward but also opens up vast opportunities for economic and social development. The smooth highway connection, newly formed residential areas, and expanded inner-city roads have created momentum for the strong development of trade, services, tourism, and real estate.

Behind that change is the pride of the people of the Center, especially the farmers - those who used to be attached to each field, and are now the ones contributing to building the new urban area.

The Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee and political organizations and people join hands to build the project "lighting up the countryside roads".

Mr. Hoang Viet Cu - Chairman of the Ward Farmers' Association added: "The most valuable thing is that the people understand and accompany. When people believe, they not only hand over the land but also contribute their efforts and ideas to complete the project soon. That is the true strength of the great solidarity bloc."

Land clearance is a difficult problem anywhere, but the lesson from Trung Tam ward shows that when the entire political system gets involved, when each organization plays its role well, any "bottleneck" can be resolved. The mobilization sessions in each small alley, each people's meeting, have formed trust, consensus and a sense of community responsibility. That is the foundation for Trung Tam to change every day today, becoming a dynamic, civilized urban center, where people not only "give land to the project", but also "give trust to the future".

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/hoi-nong-dan-phuong-trung-tam-gop-suc-kien-tao-do-thi-moi-post884461.html