Making all efforts to complete Mekong Delta's expressways ahead of schedule: PM

The expressway projects that are completed on time or ahead of schedule will open up new opportunities and development space for the entire Mekong Delta region as well the country.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính had a working session on Saturday with ministries and localities in Mekong Delta to resolve obstacles and promote strategic transportation infrastructure development, after concluding two field inspections of the construction of expressways.

This was the third meeting of the Government leader with ministers, secretaries and chairs of 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta on the issue.

According to reports, the Mekong Delta is currently implementing five key transportation projects including: the eastern section of the North-South Expressway project from Cần Thơ to Cà Mau; Châu Đốc-Cần Thơ-Sóc Trăng Expressway; Cao Lãnh-An Hữu Expressway; Mỹ An-Cao Lãnh Expressway; and the Hồ Chí Minh Road project (11km Rạch Sỏi-Bến Nhất section, and 41km Gò Quạo-Vĩnh Thuận section).

To date, four out of five projects have completed investment procedures and are under construction and the Mỹ An-Cao Lãnh Expressway is slated to start construction at the beginning of 2025.

Site clearance, one of the most important steps which could define progress and set the construction schedule, is nearly complete. However, if any issues are unresolved by the end of July 2024, it could affect the overall completion of the projects.

Intensive efforts are being made in construction, but the progress has not met the planned schedule, mainly due to a previous shortage of sand. Fortunately, the material supply has now been stable, with about 65 million cu.m guaranteed.

Highlighting some difficulties and proposals to promote project implementation, ministries, sectors and localities pledged to continue cooperation and support to ensure smooth project progress and achieve the set goals.

Concluding the conference, PM Chính congratulated the 13 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta for initially forming an expressway network after three years of active implementation, significantly developing the transportation infrastructure in line with the strategic breakthrough spirit of the 13th National Party Congress' Resolution. Various modes of transportation have developed rapidly and comprehensively in the Mekong Delta.

On behalf of the Government, PM Chính praised the efforts and dedication of ministries, sectors, localities, project management boards, companies, contractors, supervisory consultants and the team of officials, engineers, and workers who have been working diligently at the project sites.

He also thanked and praised the families, communities and individuals who supported and quickly handed over land for project construction.

The Government leader urged agencies and units, especially leaders, to prioritise national and ethnic interests, fulfill their responsibilities and have integrity, talent, responsibility and efficiency. Management must continuously be improved, practical, smart, digitalised and reduce administrative burdens and compliance costs for people and businesses.

He emphasised the goal of having 600km of expressways in the Mekong Delta by 2025 and 1,200km by 2030, assigning progress targets for each project, focusing on the North-South and East-West expressways.

PM Chính requested ministries, sectors, and localities to thoroughly implement the principle of "only discussing actions, not setbacks", making all efforts to complete expressway projects on time, or ahead of schedule, which will open up new opportunities and development space for the entire Mekong Delta region, as well the country.

Construction must be conducted in the spirit of "persistence through rain or shine", "working day and night", "through holidays, through Tết, through weekends".

He urged mobilisation of the entire political system to participate in the 500-day campaign to complete 3,000km of expressways to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and reunification of the country, the 80th National Day, and the 14th Party Congress.

Regarding capital, PM requested ministries and sectors to coordinate with localities to carefully calculate and report to competent authorities. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment must advise and reasonably allocate funds and the Government will resolve issues within its authority.

Regarding site clearance, PM Chính requested local secretaries and chairpersons to mobilise the combined strength of the entire political system to support project implementation, particularly relocating technical infrastructure, with a focus on resolving site clearance comprehensively to provide land for project construction.

He also ordered localities to take care of the lives of relocated households, ensuring that their conditions at new locations are equal to or better than before, focusing on employment and livelihoods, and ensuring the safety of people's lives and property during construction.

Regarding materials, he requested ensuring supply and completing on schedule. For sand fill materials, localities must actively enhance the mining capacity of material mines, transfer materials between projects to meet progress requirements and complete procedures for mining licences in July.