The Vietnamese Government has issued a crucial Resolution to remove long-standing obstacles for two vital infrastructure projects in Ho Chi Minh City: the $440 million Anti-Tidal Flooding Project (Phase 1) and the Pham Van Dong to Go Dua intersection link road. These projects, critical for the city's development and livability, have faced years of delays due to issues spanning land clearance, funding mechanisms, and legal complexities. The government's decisive intervention, reflecting direct directives from the Prime Minister and the Central Steering Committee on anti-corruption, aims to inject new life into these stalled endeavors and bring tangible benefits to the city's residents.
A Decisive Move to Unlock Stalled Progress
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's economic engine, has long grappled with bottlenecks in its major infrastructure projects, hindering urban development and quality of life. In a significant move to accelerate progress, the Vietnamese Government has issued a specific Resolution aimed at untangling the legal and financial knots impeding two critical projects:
The Ho Chi Minh City Anti-Tidal Flooding Project (Phase 1), with a budget of VND 10,000 billion (approximately $440 million USD).
The investment project to construct the connecting section from Pham Van Dong Street to the Go Dua intersection - National Highway 1, located in Thu Duc City (formerly District 9).
This resolution comes after years of protracted delays, cost overruns, and public frustration, highlighting the government's commitment to prioritizing and resolving key national and urban development initiatives.
The Long-Delayed Anti-Tidal Flooding Project
The Anti-Tidal Flooding Project, designed to protect a vast area of Ho Chi Minh City from tidal surges and climate change impacts, has been a particularly thorny issue. Initiated in 2016 under a Build-Transfer (BT) contract with Trung Nam Group, the project was intended to be completed by 2018. However, it faced multiple suspensions due to:
Financial and Legal Issues: Difficulties in arranging capital, particularly for land clearance and compensation, coupled with disputes over contractual terms and legal frameworks for BT projects.
Administrative Hurdles: Complexities in land acquisition and inter-agency coordination.
Cost Overruns: Significant increases in costs due to delays and changing conditions.
Despite being over 90% complete and having disbursed a substantial portion of its funds (over VND 8,276 billion as of November 2023), the project has been stalled since 2020. Its completion is vital for the city, as tidal flooding remains a persistent problem, particularly affecting residents in districts along the Saigon River and its tributaries. The new resolution is expected to address the remaining financial and legal obstacles, paving the way for its final completion.
The Critical Pham Van Dong - Go Dua Connection
The Pham Van Dong to Go Dua intersection link road project in Thu Duc City is another crucial piece of Ho Chi Minh City's transport puzzle. This connection is vital for improving traffic flow, especially to and from the busy National Highway 1 and surrounding industrial zones.
Similar to the anti-flooding project, this road construction has experienced significant delays, primarily due to:
Land Clearance Challenges: Difficulties in acquiring and compensating land from affected households and organizations.
Resettlement Issues: Ensuring adequate resettlement for displaced residents.
Coordination Breakdowns: Complexities in coordinating between various local and central government agencies.
The government's resolution specifically targets these long-standing "bottlenecks," aiming to unblock the administrative and financial hurdles that have kept the project from moving forward efficiently.
Government's Firm Hand and Future Outlook
The issuance of this Resolution by the Government, particularly under the direct supervision and guidance of the Prime Minister and the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption, Wastefulness, and Negative Phenomena, signals a strong political will to complete these projects. This intervention underscores a broader commitment to:
Accelerating Infrastructure Development: Ensuring that key national and urban infrastructure projects are completed on time to support economic growth and improve urban living.
Improving Public Asset Management: Addressing issues related to the reorganization and reallocation of state-owned properties that often cause delays.
Enhancing Project Efficiency: Streamlining bureaucratic processes and resolving financial disputes to prevent future delays.
Combating Wastefulness and Corruption: The attention from the Central Steering Committee emphasizes the goal of efficient use of public funds and accountability in project implementation.
By clearing these long-standing obstacles, the government aims to not only complete these two vital projects but also set a precedent for accelerating other stalled initiatives across Ho Chi Minh City, ultimately contributing to the city's sustainable development and enhancing the quality of life for its millions of residents.