3 times request, 2 times urge but "ignored"
On November 25, informing reporters, a representative of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE) said that the unit has not yet received a report on compliance with environmental protection laws at the two above-mentioned projects.
Previously, on November 19, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Cao Bang province issued document 4742 urging the People's Committee of Cao Bang city for the second time, requesting a report on the inspection results.
The content of the document shows the requests for the Cao Bang City People's Committee to inspect and handle violations (if any), and report to the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment, but up to now, this locality has not reported.
"Once again, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment requests the People's Committee of Cao Bang City to urgently complete the environmental inspection work, resolve the matter within its authority and send a report to the Department for monitoring, supervision and reporting to the People's Committee of Cao Bang province according to regulations" - Document 4742 stated.
Looking back in time, it can be seen that this is not the first time the Department of Natural Resources and Environment has issued a document urging this locality. For the first time, on October 12, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment issued document 3939/STNMT-QLMT requesting the People's Committee of Cao Bang City to preside over the inspection and coordinate with relevant agencies to promptly handle violations (if any) according to their authority. The inspection results must be reported back to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment before October 18.
For the second time, in document No. 4339/STNMT-QLMT (dated October 31, first urging), the Department of Natural Resources and Environment requested the People's Committee of Cao Bang City to report the results of compliance with environmental protection laws as reflected by Lao Dong Newspaper, and report the results before November 5.
The directives were issued after Lao Dong Newspaper published an article "Sand mine and hundred billion project blowing dust in the center of Cao Bang city", reflecting the frustration of Cao Bang city residents when the main road was covered with dirt, rocks, and dust from a construction site of Cao Bang Provincial Traditional Medicine Hospital and Dong Tam sand mine.
Accordingly, the Dong Tam sand mine and the construction project of the Cao Bang Traditional Medicine Hospital have caused serious pollution on Vo Nguyen Giap Street...
Checked all month but no report sent
According to the reporter's investigation, in fact, the Cao Bang City People's Committee did not "forget" the 3 instructions and urgings of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. On October 18, the City Department of Natural Resources and Environment chaired the inspection at the above 2 projects, but for some unknown reason, more than a month has passed, and this unit still has not reported the results of the inspection.
On the other hand, the Traditional Medicine Hospital construction project is located closest to Vo Nguyen Giap Street, and is in the process of leveling and clearing hills to create a flat surface, so the dust from here is quite large.
In this project, the main contractor is Song Hong Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company. The unit has submitted a registration application for mineral exploitation in the project area.
However, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment has issued a document providing guidance because the dossier still has some contents that are not in accordance with regulations, and the map of the mineral exploitation area is not fully shown. Up to now, the enterprise has not submitted complete application documents for licensing.
Cao Bang Traditional Medicine Hospital is being newly built on a land area of over 3.5 hectares in Song Hien Ward, Cao Bang City. The hospital is being built by a joint venture between Song Hong Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company and Thang Long Safety Technology Company Limited. Dong Tam Hill sand and gravel mine is located in De Tham and Song Hien Wards, with a total area of about 7.7 hectares. This mine is managed and exploited by Vietnam Natural Stone and Minerals Company Limited.
