Prime Minister: The whole country is like a big construction site, localities must work with the government to deal with the lack of materials.

During a meeting with voters in Can Tho City, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addressed numerous voter requests related to infrastructure investment in the region, issues of drought and salinity intrusion, erosion, environmental protection, and social welfare.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with voters in O Mon district, Can Tho city on May 12 - Photo: PHAM TRUNG

On the afternoon of May 12th, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the delegation of National Assembly representatives from Can Tho City held a meeting with constituents in O Mon District (Can Tho City) ahead of the 7th session of the 15th National Assembly. During the meeting, constituents in O Mon District raised numerous issues and made recommendations regarding infrastructure investment, transportation, cashless electronic payments for social welfare benefits, environmental issues, saltwater intrusion, drought, and landslides affecting people's lives, and requested solutions from the National Assembly representatives. Mr. Ly Van Dung, a constituent from Chau Van Liem Ward, O Mon District, stated that the Block B gas pipeline project passing through the area had undergone land compensation assessment but then stalled, with no clear timeline for resumption, causing anxiety among affected households. He requested that the Government direct the local authorities to expedite implementation. In response, Mr. Tran Viet Truong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City, stated that the Lot B - O Mon gas pipeline project is a project whose investment policy was approved by the Prime Minister for adjustment in Decision No. 1167/QD-TTg dated October 10, 2023. Accordingly, the project investor is accelerating the implementation progress, especially land clearance. On March 25, 2024, the People's Committee of Can Tho City commented on the draft framework for compensation, support, and resettlement policies. On April 11, 2024, the investor submitted the framework for compensation, support, and resettlement policies to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for verification, as a basis for submission to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval. Currently, the Can Tho City Land Fund Development Center is coordinating with the investor in compensation, support, and resettlement work to implement the project in accordance with regulations. In discussions with voters regarding this project and other ongoing projects in Can Tho City and the Southwestern region, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that the Can Tho City government and other localities must focus all their efforts on completing and accelerating land clearance and construction. He stressed the need for high priority on expressways passing through the area, connecting provinces and cities from North to South. “The whole country is like a giant construction site; with many roads and infrastructure projects being built simultaneously, shortages of sand and construction materials are inevitable… But when shortages arise, localities must work together with the Government to resolve each stage. If the bottlenecks stem from the people, leaders must meet with the people to understand their concerns and aspirations. We must cooperate with localities to complete key expressways and bridges, thereby creating momentum for regional development,” the Prime Minister stressed.

Voter Nguyen Phan Thinh (Thoi Hoa ward, O Mon district) raises concerns about drought and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta - Photo: T. Luy

Regarding the prolonged heatwaves, droughts, saltwater intrusion, and landslides that have significantly impacted the lives of people in the Mekong Delta recently, the Prime Minister stated that the Government and relevant ministries are very concerned and have invested 4,000 billion VND in the Mekong Delta over the past year in drought and saltwater intrusion prevention, landslide mitigation, and climate change adaptation. Recognizing the major problems facing the delta today – saltwater intrusion, subsidence, landslides, drought – affecting livelihoods and directly impacting the country's rice and food granary, the Government is particularly focused on investing in irrigation projects, freshwater storage, and embankment construction to prevent landslides in the Mekong Delta. Currently, the Cai Lon - Cai Be sluice gate system is proving effective, and other saltwater intrusion prevention sluice gates are under construction, such as the Vung Liem sluice gate, which is being vigorously completed.

We will be determined to implement the increase in basic salary and allowances.

Responding to voters' questions about social welfare issues, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that local authorities need to pay close attention and create favorable conditions for people to access these services. He stressed that rigid, cashless payment methods should be avoided, and special attention should be paid to vulnerable groups. Payments of allowances and pensions should be tailored to the specific local situation. Regarding salary increases, the Prime Minister stated that the Government and relevant ministries are determined to implement the increase in basic salaries and allowances by July 2024. Those working in the political system and those receiving policy benefits will see increases according to a planned schedule; for workers and laborers, efforts will be made in collaboration with business owners to facilitate salary increases. All those receiving salaries and allowances will see increases according to the established schedule wherever necessary.

Tuoitre.vn

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thu-tuong-ca-nuoc-dang-nhu-dai-cong-truong-dia-phuong-phai-cung-chinh-phu-xu-ly-khi-thieu-vat-lieu-20240512180055562.htm