Short-term contractor appointment not in accordance with regulations
On April 7, the Government Inspectorate said that this agency has issued Document No. 976/TB-TTCP Announcing the Inspection Conclusion on the compliance with policies and laws for the Dong Dang - Tra Linh expressway construction investment project.
The project has a length of about 121.06km (Lang Son province about 52km and Cao Bang province about 69.06km); Phase 1 invests about 93.35km, phase 2 continues to invest about 27.71km. The preliminary total investment is 22,690 billion VND.
Project implementation time: Phase 1 from 2020 - 2025, toll collection and capital recovery operation time of about 23 years (from 2026 - 2049), phase 2 after 2025.
The joint venture of Deo Ca Group Joint Stock Company - ICV Vietnam Construction Investment Joint Stock Company - Deo Ca Transport Infrastructure Investment Joint Stock Company - Construction Joint Stock Company 568 is the Investor of the project.
The Government Inspectorate pointed out, regarding the implementation of the project (phase 1):
The Provincial People's Committee's issuance of Decision No. 1238/QD-UBND dated September 17, 2018 approving the plan to select contractors for consulting service packages to develop investment plans for projects, in which it was divided into 3 consulting service packages for short-term contractor appointment, is not in accordance with regulations.
The Provincial People's Committee issued a document requesting Deo Ca Group Joint Stock Company to urgently implement the preparation of project proposal dossiers, which is not in accordance with regulations and the Prime Minister's direction.
The Provincial People's Committee approved the investment project (phase 1) in Decision No. 1199/QD-UBND dated September 15, 2023 with some contents (total investment level, toll collection time, capital recovery; construction investment scale) not in accordance with the investment policy approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 20/QD-TTg; approving the investment project when not fully absorbing the appraisal opinions of the Department of Construction Management and Quality of Transport Works.
Cao Bang Provincial People's Committee reported to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Planning and Investment that it was not in accordance with the reality of completing the investor selection; the investor encountered difficulties in arranging capital and proposing state budget support for capital.
The work of preparing, appraising, and approving technical design dossiers, construction drawing designs and estimates for 3 design and construction packages still has some shortcomings and violations such as: Not fully ensuring the construction design requirements and principles of construction investment cost management according to regulations.
Construction drawing design documents and estimates are slow to be approved; estimates are approved when they have not been appraised; some work items calculate incorrect volumes, apply incorrect norms and unit prices; contractors organize the construction of some work items before having a decision approving construction drawing design documents.
The value of items calculated incorrectly in volume, applying incorrect norms, and unit prices to be deducted (according to preliminary unit prices) is 135.14 billion VND. Some consulting and non-consulting packages, and other consulting costs still have some shortcomings and violations.
Proposing to clarify responsibilities and handle them according to regulations
From the inspection results, the Inspector General of the Government proposed that the Prime Minister consider and direct the Ministry of Construction: Guide the People's Committee of Cao Bang province to carry out procedures to partially adjust the Road Network Plan for the period 2021 - 2030 according to regulations.
Directing the organization of self-criticism, clarifying responsibilities, and handling according to the provisions of law for the Vietnam Road Administration and units and individuals involved in shortcomings and violations.
The Government Inspectorate also proposed that the Prime Minister direct the Ministry of Finance to organize reviews, clarify responsibilities, and handle according to regulations for units, organizations, and individuals involved in shortcomings and violations.
For the People's Committee of Cao Bang province, the Government Inspectorate requested to urgently direct and organize the implementation of the conclusions and inspection recommendations, and take measures to rectify, overcome, and handle shortcomings and violations in the project implementation.
In the process of implementing the Inspection Conclusion, in case of detecting loss of state budget or signs of criminal law violations, transfer them to the investigating agency for handling according to the provisions of law.
