Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long works with the Cai Lon

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long speaks at the meeting.

At the working session, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long listened to the Cai Lon - Cai Be sewer system operator report on the results of the sewer system's management and operation, and the difficulties and problems that have arisen during the recent operation.

According to the representative of the Southern Irrigation Exploitation Company Limited, since its inauguration, the Cai Lon - Cai Be and Xeo Ro irrigation systems have been effective in controlling water resources for production and people's daily life. In particular, during the dry season of 2024 - 2025, when salinity tends to increase, the unit has operated the Cai Lon - Cai Be and Xeo Ro sluices to effectively control salinity, helping to protect over 340,000 hectares of rice and crops of people in the project's beneficiary areas.

Cai Lon sluice gate contributes to effective water resource control.

In addition to the achievements, the Cai Lon - Cai Be irrigation system still has shortcomings that need to be resolved soon to promote the effectiveness of the project. The current general situation is that the same system of works but the needs and requirements for water use at the same time are different, or contradictory (brackish - salty, brackish - fresh, fresh sub-regions); the time frame of the provinces in the system is not unified and reasonable; the situation of saving water in the dry season has not been applied in many localities, which has greatly affected the operation of related irrigation systems.

The system of works is not synchronous, closed or has been degraded and not in operation; some river mouths and canals are still open and do not have control works. Some works have been invested in construction but do not have an electricity system and are not proactive in operating the works; the technical infrastructure of irrigation and traffic in the upstream and downstream areas of the works is not technically guaranteed, and the elevation to prevent high tides is not guaranteed, causing flooding when operating the works. The system of works dividing sub-regions (fresh, fresh - brackish, brackish - salty) inside the fields has not been invested in construction synchronously and closed, leading to the efficiency of serving production not reaching expectations.

Representative of the operating unit spoke at the meeting

In order to effectively manage and operate the works, ensuring good service to production and people's needs, the company recommends that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the People's Committees of the provinces prioritize capital allocation; continue to invest in the complete and synchronous construction of the irrigation system, and improve the capacity to prevent and combat drought, water shortage and saltwater intrusion.

Recommend that the People's Committee of An Giang province direct functional units to promptly deploy investment to complete the irrigation infrastructure system downstream of Cai Lon, Cai Be and Xeo Ro sluices, and complete the power system to operate the sluices along the West coast.

Speaking at the working session, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long said that climate change is increasingly complex, posing a big challenge to the Mekong Delta. To respond to climate change, there needs to be synchronous investment solutions for the Mekong Delta provinces. In particular, the Cai Lon - Cai Be irrigation system has been invested in, demonstrating the Government's great concern when investment resources are limited. The effectiveness of the project confirms that the investment is on target and meets the set requirements.

The Deputy Prime Minister requested the operating unit to continue maintaining a scientific and strict operating process to ensure the project operates stably and effectively. Periodic inspection and maintenance work must be carried out fully and according to standards to avoid incidents.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted the opinions and recommendations on investment in auxiliary works and intra-field culverts, and will report to the Government and the Prime Minister for consideration and resolution.

News and photos: THUY TRANG - ANH THU

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/pho-thu-tuong-chinh-phu-le-thanh-long-lam-viec-voi-don-vi-van-hanh-cong-cai-lon-cai-be-a467156.html