“Land Management and Construction Fraud: Uncovering Complex Schemes”

On September 29, exclusive sources revealed that the Gia Lai Provincial Inspectorate has requested a 10-day extension for their investigation into the series of exposés titled “Manipulation in Land and Construction Management” in Quy Nhơn Tây Ward, as reported by Người Lao Động Newspaper.

The investigation is expected to conclude by October 5.

The extension is due to the complexity of land and construction violations in Quy Nhơn Tây Ward, which exceeds initial assessments by authorities.

Upon completion of the inspection, the findings will be submitted to the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee for further action, with a formal response to be provided to Người Lao Động Newspaper.

Previously, from August 7 to 12, Người Lao Động Newspaper published a series of investigative reports titled “Manipulation in Land and Construction Management.” These reports highlighted how a 2,500 m² public land plot in Thanh Long Village, Quy Nhơn Tây Ward (formerly Phước Mỹ Commune, Quy Nhơn City, Bình Định Province), valued at approximately 50 billion VND, was misappropriated. Originally managed by the state and used by Phước Thành 3 Cooperative, the land was illegally transferred to individuals.

Specifically, after being “legalized” under an individual’s name, the land was quickly transferred to several former leaders of Phước Mỹ Commune. Among them are Mrs. Lê Thị Thu Thủy (wife of Mr. Cao Minh Thi, former Chairman of Phước Mỹ Commune People’s Committee, now Deputy Chairman of Quy Nhơn Tây Ward People’s Committee), Mrs. Trần Thị Nhi (former Vice Chairwoman of Phước Mỹ Commune People’s Committee, now a staff member of Quy Nhơn Tây Ward People’s Committee), and Mr. Đỗ Nguyên Đính (former land officer of Phước Mỹ Commune).

Additionally, Quy Nhơn Tây Ward currently hosts hundreds of illegal constructions on agricultural, forest, public utility, and project lands. Most of these structures were built during the tenure of former Phước Mỹ Commune, particularly under Mr. Cao Minh Thi’s leadership as Party Secretary and Chairman of the Commune People’s Committee.

Following the investigative series, on August 19, the Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee issued a directive to inspect and verify the entire case. The Department of Agriculture and Environment (DAE) was tasked with leading the effort, in coordination with the Department of Construction, relevant agencies, and Quy Nhơn Tây Ward People’s Committee, to urgently review, clarify responsibilities, and strictly handle any violations. The results were to be reported to the Provincial People’s Committee and Người Lao Động Newspaper by September 20.

While the DAE-led task force continued its inspection, on August 28, the Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee further directed the Provincial Inspectorate to investigate the land management issues in Quy Nhơn Tây Ward, as reported by Người Lao Động Newspaper.

On September 11, the Chief Inspector of Gia Lai Province issued a decision to inspect state management of land in Quy Nhơn Tây Ward, as reported by Người Lao Động Newspaper.

An 8-member task force was established for this purpose, with a 10-day inspection period starting from the decision’s announcement.