The Standing Committee of Ca Mau Provincial People’s Council Holds a Question-and-Answer Session on Project Delays and Land Law Violations
Ca Mau, April 17, 2023 – The Standing Committee of Ca Mau Provincial People’s Council recently held a question-and-answer session on the responsibilities and solutions for resolving and handling investment projects that are behind schedule or in violation of land law regulations in the province.
A report presented by the Inspection Team of the Standing Committee of Ca Mau Provincial People’s Council during the questioning session on April 16 revealed that the province currently has 390 investment projects. Of these, 47 projects are behind schedule and face obstacles that require urgent attention (14 public investment projects and 33 non-budgetary projects); and 14 projects require the implementation of procedural procedures (all non-budgetary projects).
Chairman of Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee – Huynh Quoc Viet answering questions from delegates of the Provincial People’s Council.
A practical survey conducted at 15 projects and discussions with investors and relevant agencies showed that some projects failed to follow investment and land procedures, resulting in “stalled projects”; some projects have been put into operation but are now ineffective, leading to a waste of land. Several projects are hindered by the limited capacity of the investors, particularly their financial capabilities.
The report identified the main reasons for these issues as lax land management in some localities, leading to encroachment and improper land use, and a lack of decisive action when violations occur. Coordination between investors and local authorities is also found to be inadequate.
Overview of the questioning session.
During the questioning session, Delegate Nguyen Phuong Dong, Head of the Culture – Social Affairs Committee of Ca Mau Provincial People’s Council, cited several delayed projects, including the whiteleg shrimp farming project of N.G Viet Nam, the investment project to build terraced houses in the Cuu Long commercial complex, and the Viet Uc – Ca Mau tourist attraction project.
Delegate Dong questioned: “What are the fundamental and core reasons for the delays in implementing these investment projects? Does the current situation result in a waste of resources, business capital, and state assets? Which agency is responsible for this?”
In response to the above questions, Mr. Huynh Quoc Viet, Chairman of Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, stated that some projects are delayed due to the investors, while others face obstacles related to land clearance and planning, and some share the responsibility with the relevant departments, sectors, and localities.
“It is difficult to explain whose responsibility it is, as suggested by the delegate,” Mr. Viet answered.
Delegate Nguyen Phuong Dong questioning the Chairman of Ca Mau Province.
Delegate Nguyen Duc Tien, Deputy Head of the Culture – Social Affairs Committee of Ca Mau Provincial People’s Council, raised concerns about the difficulties and obstacles in collecting and recovering land rent and water surface rent from the Ho Van Thuy Tourist Spot project in Ward 5, Ca Mau City.
Responding to this issue, Mr. Huynh Quoc Viet informed that the province has worked with the investor to agree on the timeline for each stage of land rent and water surface rent collection; the rental area and unit price of land and water surface rent for the aforementioned project.
“The investor has only one request regarding the calculation of late payment fees, and the Provincial People’s Committee is currently processing the extension request. I have instructed the Department of Construction to assist the investor in obtaining a building permit, as they have clearly agreed on the plans,” Mr. Viet said.
During the questioning session, delegates of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Council also questioned provincial authorities on various matters, such as: solutions to resolve difficulties and obstacles in land clearance according to the project schedule in the future; the responsibility of the Director of the Department of Planning and Investment in advising, coordinating, monitoring, supporting, and resolving difficulties and obstacles, and measures to handle delayed investment projects and violations of land laws.
The leadership of Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee frankly acknowledged the unresolved issues and pledged to implement solutions to address them and accelerate project progress as required.
