Prime Minister: Key transport projects "only discussed, not discussed again"

"This is an important historical moment for us to soon complete the North-South expressway system and other important regional and inter-regional expressways. We are simultaneously implementing these expressways, so we must be faster, "only discuss action, no retreat".

Also attending were Minister and Head of the Government Office Tran Van Son, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang, Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi, along with leaders of local ministries, members of the Steering Committee, construction units and contractors.

The Prime Minister chaired the 7th meeting of the State Steering Committee for important national projects and works, key to the transport sector.

Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that this meeting reviewed and re-evaluated the work done since the 6th meeting.

The Prime Minister stated that the situation has changed positively and has been resolved step by step. Key projects such as Long Thanh airport are implementing the remaining steps, including selecting contractors according to regulations. "During the implementation process, we need to be calm, not hesitate, this project must start construction this August; as long as it is implemented publicly, transparently, and in accordance with regulations, "just do it right" and there must be no negativity or group interests in bidding and auctioning. The Ministry of Transport and the State Capital Management Committee at Enterprises must directly direct, the Ministry of Construction must also coordinate in this work in the spirit of "doing whatever is beneficial, whatever is good for the people and the country" but must be done quickly", the Prime Minister suggested.

On the afternoon of August 10, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the 7th meeting of the State Steering Committee for important national projects and works, key to the transport sector.

According to the Prime Minister, we now have more experience than many years ago, so we can fight and have frank dialogue with major partners to protect our viewpoints and interests. Regarding projects, the Prime Minister requested that members of the Steering Committee, provinces and centrally-run cities must implement them with a spirit of speed, even faster because of the urgency of development according to the requirements of the 13th National Party Congress; 3 strategic breakthroughs are being carried out in the right direction, we must "take advantage of the victory to move forward"; the requirement is to quickly have infrastructure connections for development.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the Politburo has proposed 6 regional Resolutions, which emphasize the development of transport infrastructure; in this difficult time, it is necessary to promote public investment to contribute to promoting growth, therefore, investors, contractors, and consulting units must uphold their sense of responsibility at this time to speed up the progress of project implementation.

"This is an important historical moment for us to soon complete the North-South expressway system and other important expressways connecting regions and inter-regions. We are simultaneously implementing these expressways, so we must be faster, "just talk about doing, no backtracking" while ensuring progress, quality, safety, creating new development space, creating new urban areas, service areas, industrial parks, creating jobs and livelihoods for people, quickly clearing the land, quickly stabilizing the material and spiritual life of the people; taking advantage of this opportunity to restructure the population. Where there are problems, we will solve them, at whichever level, the problem will be solved.

Citing the experiences of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in clearing land for the projects of Ring Road 4 in the Hanoi Capital Region and Ring Road 3 in Ho Chi Minh City, the Prime Minister said that the important thing to learn is that we must have great determination, clear thinking, "turning nothing into something, turning the impossible into possible, turning difficult into easy". The land is available, the problem now must be implemented drastically. The Prime Minister affirmed that with high determination, all for the benefit of the nation and people, there is nothing that cannot be solved, no difficulty that cannot be overcome; in the process, it is necessary to cut down on cumbersome and unnecessary procedures.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the assignment of raw material mines to contractors will be strictly inspected. If any violations are found, they will be strictly handled; even after the inspection of this phase, the previous phase will be inspected as well. The Prime Minister hopes that the delegates will have a new spirit and spirit, and the responsibility to strongly implement, to match words with actions, and to have results that can be "weighed, measured, and counted". The Prime Minister asked the delegates to frankly point out the difficulties and obstacles so that they can be overcome and resolved together.

Reporting at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Duy Lam said that after the 6th meeting, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister had given close and drastic instructions, promptly removing difficulties and overcoming challenges, to speed up the progress of project implementation. However, in the past, some ministries and branches were slow in implementing tasks, some tasks and difficulties arose that required direction and active implementation from ministries, branches and localities. Among them, there were some difficulties and problems related to construction materials and site clearance, which greatly hindered the progress of implementation.

Regarding site clearance, localities have actively and resolutely implemented it. Up to now, the site clearance work has basically met the schedule, such as the North-South Eastern Expressway project in the 2021-2025 period, with 89% of the site handed over, an increase of 2% compared to the previous month. The rate of land available for construction is 80%, an increase of 3% compared to the previous month. The construction of resettlement areas and relocation of technical infrastructure, especially high-voltage power lines, is continuing but is still slow. 05 East-West expressway projects and belt roads started construction in June 2023, many localities have achieved high land handover rates such as Hanoi 87%, Ho Chi Minh City 92%, Long An 96.9%, Hau Giang 91%... For Dong Nai province, because many projects are currently being implemented at the same time, the progress of site clearance for Bien Hoa - Vung Tau project, Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3, and the route connecting Long Thanh International Airport (CHKQT) is slower than the general level.

The meeting was broadcast online locally.

Regarding common construction materials, after the Prime Minister has given many instructions, the implementation of the North-South Eastern Expressway project in the 2021-2025 period is still slow. In July 2023, the procedures for confirming the Registration of Mining Volume were completed for 14 more mines, while 27 mines have been submitted to the authorities but have not been approved. For the Hanoi Ring Road 4 project, Hanoi city has met and implemented procedures for assigning mines and granting mines to contractors according to a special mechanism. The Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 project and the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau project have encountered difficulties in filling materials. The Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang project through Hau Giang and Can Tho city have not yet implemented procedures for mining in An Giang.

Regarding the implementation of construction, the Ministry of Transport has regularly inspected the site, urged and directed investors and contractors to organize construction in "3 shifts", overcome all difficulties, and speed up progress so that by the end of 2023, 04 expressway projects will be completed. However, with the National Highway 45 - Nghi Son and Nghi Son - Dien Chau projects, the weather has entered the rainy season, greatly affecting the construction of the asphalt concrete surface layer. Some weak ground sections need to be reviewed, monitored, and evaluated before constructing the foundation and road surface layers, because to complete on schedule, it requires great determination and effort in the implementation of all agencies and units, especially construction contractors. For the 12 component projects of the North - South Eastern Expressway in the 2021 - 2025 period, after the direction of the Prime Minister, the supply of materials for the projects has gradually been resolved. The Ministry of Transport continues to direct contractors to take advantage of favorable weather conditions, organize overtime construction, and focus on construction items that do not depend on the source of earth filling materials. Contractors have implemented construction to date, reaching 7.3% of the contract value, an increase of 2.3% compared to the previous month; The disbursement value reached 52% of the 2023 plan. However, the upcoming rainy and stormy season will greatly affect the implementation progress. 05 East-West expressway projects and belt roads will start construction in June 2023. Investors are directing contractors to carry out procedures to exploit construction material mines for the project and carry out construction preparation work, mobilize machinery, equipment, human resources, prepare construction drawings and carry out organic excavation work, prepare the site...

The Prime Minister requested that investors, contractors, and consultants uphold their sense of responsibility to speed up project implementation.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are directing contractors to speed up construction progress and complete procedures to put into operation the elevated section of the Nhon - Hanoi Railway Station urban railway line at the end of 2023 and the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien line at the beginning of 2024. Vietnam Airports Corporation (ACV) has received 100% of the land area of Long Thanh International Airport and 59/126ha; is evaluating the financial proposal for the 5.10 passenger terminal package, and is expected to complete the bid evaluation and contract negotiation to start construction in August 2023; has started construction of 02 connecting traffic routes on July 14, 2023 and is expected to start construction of the runway in August 2023; is evaluating the financial proposal of the T3 passenger terminal package at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and is expected to complete the contractor selection and sign the contract in August 2023.

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