Post-layoff Hustle

“In the past four months, Lam Dong Province has failed to attract any investors. Its economic growth rate ranks 54th in the nation. This has never happened before!” – Mr. Pham S, Vice Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee, expressed his concern.

Ensuring the progress of key projects

In January 2024, Mr. Tran Van Hiep, Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee, and Mr. Tran Duc Quan, Secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee, were arrested for violations related to the Dai Ninh Eco-tourism and Resort Urban Area project. At that time, Mr. Ngo Van Ninh, Chief of Office of the Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee, admitted that the lack of the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee affected the leadership and management work.

In mid-March, Mr. Nguyen Thai Hoc, Deputy Head of the Central Inspection Committee, was assigned to serve as the Secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee. However, the province still lacks both a Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee and a Chairman of the Provincial People’s Council.

After significant changes, in the first quarter of 2024, Lam Dong Province recorded 7 socio-economic indicators with good results, but up to 11 indicators still had major limitations. Mr. Pham S admitted that the local economic development did not meet the requirements, especially in terms of low budget revenue, investment attraction, and growth.

In response to the situation, the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee strongly requested the Provincial People’s Committee to urgently work with the heads of departments and sectors to assess the current status, identify the causes, and develop solutions and measures to achieve and exceed the targets in the first six months of 2024. In particular, the agencies in charge of public investment were instructed to accelerate the implementation and disbursement, and to prepare a list and update the weekly disbursement progress of each unit.

Regarding the implementation of the Lien Khuong – Bao Loc and Bao Loc – Tan Phu expressway projects, as well as the long-standing obstacles and violations in the Doi Cu golf course, Da Ron golf course, and King Palace projects, the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee also requested that the relevant units report and propose definitive solutions.

In Quang Ngai, after the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee – Mr. Dang Van Minh – was prosecuted and temporarily detained by the Ministry of Public Security, the province faced numerous difficulties. Mr. Tran Hoang Tuan – Standing Deputy Chairman of the Quang Ngai Provincial People’s Committee, who was assigned to manage the Provincial People’s Committee – said that in 2024, the Government assigned Quang Ngai to collect land use fees and contribute to the budget 2,600 billion VND, of which the provincial level would contribute 2,000 billion VND. However, according to calculations, the province is expected to collect only about 500 billion VND. “In the short term, the province will focus on implementing key projects and urgent projects that serve social welfare. At the same time, we will strive to complete the ongoing projects as soon as possible to generate budget revenue and make up for the shortfall,” Mr. Tuan affirmed.

At a recent meeting with the Party Committee of the Quang Ngai Provincial People’s Committee, Ms. Bui Thi Quynh Van, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, requested that the Party Committee of the Provincial People’s Committee focus and make efforts to develop the socio-economy and implement key projects on schedule. “Where there are obstacles in land clearance or projects, we must concentrate on solving and removing them,” emphasized Ms. Bui Thi Quynh Van.

Be bold in taking responsibility

In Khanh Hoa province, many projects are currently suspended due to the lack of a clear solution, such as the build-transfer (BT) project of Nha Trang Vocational College, Khanh Hoa Radio and Television Station, and Khanh Hoa Medical College. The main obstacle lies in determining the land prices to fulfill financial obligations.

It is expected that next week, the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee will hear the report of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment on the list of slow-progressing projects permitted to continue and the plan for dialogue with investors. The province has also established a working group to resolve the obstacles according to the conclusions of the Central Inspection Committee and the announcement of the Government Inspectorate. In addition, another working group will implement legal policies for BT projects using the land fund of the old Nha Trang airport.

Mr. Nguyen Tan Tuan, Chairman of the Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee, at the dialogue conference with enterprises (DN) in late December 2023, instructed the departments, agencies, and sectors to listen to, receive, and consider promptly resolving the proposals of investors; and to strictly handle cadres and leaders of agencies and units who engage in harassment or cause trouble to DN. In an interview with the People’s Labor Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Tan Tuan emphasized: “To solve the problem, it is necessary to clarify the specific responsibilities of each member, responsibilities for the common purpose, not for personal interests, group interests, and legitimizing wrongdoings. Only then can it contribute to the socio-economic development.”.

The Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee will also request the Department of Home Affairs to study Decree 73/2023 on encouraging, protecting, and promoting cadres who are dynamic, creative, and dare to think, dare to do, and dare to take responsibility for the common good. “Civil servants must work together and demonstrate their responsibility to the people and businesses. How will we handle situations where projects require land prices to be redetermined, plans to be readjusted, and investment certificates to be revised? If we reach an agreement, we can all co-sign and commit to acting in the interests of the people and socio-economic development. We need to be bold!” Mr. Nguyen Tan Tuan raised the issue.

In Quang Nam province, some cadres and leaders have a fear of making mistakes and taking responsibility, which has led to stagnation in the resolution and execution of public affairs. This is evident in many reports by competent authorities and has been discussed at sessions of the Provincial People’s Council.

At the Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee Conference held on April 8 and 9, the Provincial Party Committee pointed out 11 shortcomings and weaknesses that need to be overcome, including the lack of decisiveness among cadres, hesitation in providing advice, and failure to fulfill their assigned roles and responsibilities. On April 12, the Standing Committee of the Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee held a specialized conference to discuss solutions.

Mr. Luong Nguyen Minh Triet, Secretary of the Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee, said that the province’s production and business situation has faced many difficulties in recent times. One of the reasons is that the province’s functional agencies have not been able to promptly remove the obstacles. According to the Secretary of the Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee, when businesses were doing well, they contributed to the budget, created jobs, and provided the province with resources to solve many problems. Now that businesses are facing difficulties, the province has a responsibility to support and remove obstacles. “The general spirit is that we need strong involvement, avoid procrastination, evasion, and the mentality of keeping a safe zone, and avoid creating unnecessary barriers for businesses,” emphasized Mr. Luong Nguyen Minh Triet.