The Thang Tho clean water plant in Thang Tho commune, Nong Cong district, received approval for investment from the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee of Thanh Hoa province on January 2, 2018, benefiting 14 communes with clean water sources.
As of April 5, 2018, the project adjusted the scope of water supply to 10 communes. Over a month later, the project expanded to 19 communes, including 13 communes in Nong Cong district, 3 communes in Nhu Thanh district, and 3 communes in Nghi Son town.
Over 2 months later, the project increased its investment capital to about 410 billion VND, expanded its scale to 3.5 hectares, and increased its capacity to 30,000 m3 of water/day and night. By the end of 2018, the design capacity was reduced to 29,000 m3 of water. The project started construction in the first quarter of 2019. It is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2019.
After several adjustments and extensions, in January 2021, the project received a decision from the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee of Thanh Hoa province to increase the total investment capital to 455 billion VND. In this decision, Thanh Hoa province requested that the investor must complete and put the plant into operation by September 2021. The investor also committed to completing it on schedule, but the project has remained “inactive” since then.
Notably, in August 2022, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee of Thanh Hoa, Le Duc Giang, inspected the progress of the project and requested the investor to urgently mobilize labor, machinery, and equipment to accelerate the progress and ensure that the plant is operational by June 2023. If by this time, the plant is still not completed, the responsibility for providing clean water to the people in the area will be transferred to another unit.
At the meeting on February 9, 2023, between the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Thanh Hoa province, the People’s Committee of Nong Cong district, and the Vietnam Investment Development and Urban Environment Construction Corporation, the company agreed and committed to the construction progress of the project. They must complete and operate the water treatment plant for residents by July 30, 2023, at the latest. At the same time, they agreed on a solution to provide water to residents in case the construction progress of the project cannot be guaranteed.
At present, according to actual observations, on the approved construction site of the Thang Tho Water Plant, there is no construction activity, and some construction items are incomplete. These include part of the surrounding fence system, a newly-built unfinished control room, and 2 newly-dug water tanks. Forgotten bricks, stones, and a small amount of rusted iron and steel lie scattered on the muddy ground.
According to the leaders of Thang Tho commune People’s Committee, the delay of the Thang Tho clean water system project for many years has had a significant impact on the daily lives of tens of thousands of people in the area. The desire to use tap water and ensure hygienic conditions for the people here is still uncertain. If this situation is not rectified, it will also affect the plan to enhance the construction of a new rural area in Nong Cong district by 2024.
Recently, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Thanh Hoa province established an inspection team and concluded the Thang Tho Water Supply System project in Thang Tho commune, Nong Cong district. During the inspection on August 22, 2023, the construction items remained incomplete, similar to previous years, with no changes, despite the company’s earlier commitment to completing and putting the project into operation to supply clean water to the people in June 2023.
In addition, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Thanh Hoa province suggested that if the project is not completed by October 2024, causing a delay of using the land for 24 months, the project will be in violation of land laws as specified in Article 64 of the Land Law 2013. If the company still needs to use the land, the Provincial People’s Committee will extend the land use period for 24 months and require the company to pay the corresponding amount for land use or land rent during the delay period. If the company does not put the land into use after the extended period, the Provincial People’s Committee of Thanh Hoa will reclaim the land without compensating for the land and attached assets.
