The Fallout from the Nearly 400-Billion-Dong Project in Quang Binh

The Urban Drainage and Environmental Sanitation Project in Ba Don Town, Quang Binh Province, was approved by the government with an initial investment of 13.6 million Euros, later adjusted to 14.9 million Euros (nearly VND 400 billion) in ODA funding from Denmark. The project commenced construction in 2016 and was expected to be completed within 36 months.

The project was undertaken by Suez, a Danish contractor, with the aim of constructing a stormwater drainage system and a wastewater collection and treatment plant with a capacity of 3,000 cubic meters per day and night for Ba Don Town. The project goals were to improve the urban environment, reduce pollution, and enhance the quality of life for residents.

According to the commitment, the project was to be completed and handed over by November 2019. However, due to construction delays, the deadline was extended to the end of 2020. Nonetheless, as of November 2024, the overall project progress had only reached 67.2%. Several critical components remained unfinished, such as the pressure pipeline, gravity pipeline, and household connection manholes.

Meanwhile, the 15.4-kilometer-long wastewater pipeline with 3,000 household connections had achieved nearly 60% completion. The wastewater treatment plant in Quang Thuan Ward, the project’s largest component, had not progressed beyond the initial stages. The construction site remained silent and abandoned for an extended period.

Notably, several partially completed project components were left inactive, causing deformation, subsidence, and unsightliness in several roads in the center of Ba Don Town. This not only affected the town’s aesthetics but also created difficulties for pedestrians and vehicles.

Mr. Nguyen Van Ninh, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ba Don Town, shared that not only the investors but also the local authorities and residents eagerly anticipated the project’s completion and operation. However, the project has caused frustration, concern, and anxiety, putting pressure on the local government from the public.

In a discussion with the NLD reporter, Mr. Nguyen The Hao, Director of the ODA Project Management Board of Quang Trach District (representing the investor), revealed that the project progress had stalled at 67.2% for the past four years. Recently, the Planning and Investment Department sent a document to the People’s Committee of Quang Binh Province regarding the termination of the project contract with Suez. Subsequently, a domestic contractor will be selected to continue the unfinished work, ensuring the project’s objectives are met.

According to Mr. Hao, the primary cause of the delays was the numerous errors in the detailed survey and design. The contractor failed to inspect, evaluate, and report on the status of technical infrastructure, public facilities, and residents’ properties before construction. Additionally, there was a lack of design engineers to supervise and address issues on-site. Compounding these issues were unresolved disputes between the investor and the main contractor, Suez. Currently, all project-related issues have been reported by the ODA Project Management Board of Quang Trach District to the District People’s Committee for further recommendations to higher authorities.