The project "Developing Can Tho City and Enhancing Urban Resilience" (abbreviated as Project 3), with loans from the World Bank (WB), has invested in the construction of underpasses, boat docks and modern tidal sewer systems, operating automatically through the Flood Risk Management Information System (FRMIS). This system is capable of controlling flooding for more than 2,600 hectares of the city's core area.
However, although completed in mid-2024, the FRMIS system has not yet been able to be handed over to the operator due to the lack of an operating process according to regulations.
Mr. Doan Thanh Tam - Deputy Director of the ODA Management Board of Can Tho - said that since June 30, 2024, Project 3 has been completed according to the loan agreement commitment, but there are still some items related to the water drainage system that is not smooth, affecting the drainage capacity in some areas and routes.
The packages for renovating canals and ditches in Cai Khe, Ninh Kieu, An Binh, Tan An wards, etc. have not been completed, reducing the efficiency of drainage and water storage in the central area. After 1 year of stopping construction, many items generated waste, water hyacinth and aquatic products, limiting flow and causing environmental pollution.
In particular, the FRMIS system under Package CT3-CS-TV08, which has been decided by the Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City, has been assigned to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of the City for management, operation and exploitation. However, up to now, the Department has not been able to receive it due to lack of operating procedures according to the provisions of the Irrigation Law.
Explaining this problem, Mr. Tam said that in the past, the FRMIS system only operated with a handbook. To build an operating process in accordance with regulations, specialized experts are needed, while Project 3 has ended, the ODA Management Board no longer has funding and legal basis to hire experts to implement.
On the side of the unit assigned to receive the message, Mr. Tran Phu Loc Thanh - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Can Tho City - said that Project 3 has a total of 12 culverts and more than 10 km of dykes. Since June 30, 2024, specialized agencies under the Department have conducted inspections and so far 10/12 sewers have been accepted.
"For the FRMIS system alone, there must be an operating process according to the provisions of the Law on Irrigation. This is the basis for the Department to develop technical economic norms, prepare estimates and submit to competent authorities for approval after receiving them. However, currently, the FRMIS system only has an operating manual and a water control plan, and does not meet the legal requirements to put it into official exploitation," said Mr. Thanh.
At a recent meeting, Chairman of Can Tho City People's Committee Tran Van Lau emphasized: "If we have invested in sewers and boat docks, how should we use them effectively, avoiding waste. While waiting for handover, the ODA Project Management Board must proactively organize the reasonable operation of the FRMIS system, ensuring that when there is heavy rain, the system must promote the function of flood control".
The Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho City noted that in the coming time, when it rains, he will directly inspect. If the FRMIS system is not operated properly, the ODA Project Management Board must take responsibility.
Project 3 has a total investment of more than VND 9,167 billion, of which the loan from the World Bank (WB) is 250 million USD, the non-refundable capital from SECO (Switzerland) is 4 million USD and the counterpart capital is more than 3,378 billion VND. Many items such as sewers, boat docks, and drainage pumping stations have been officially operated since mid-2024.
In particular, the FRMIS system is installed at the operator house adjacent to the Cai Khe boat lock and hold, operating automatically. The system is capable of forecasting water levels and rainfall, thereby simulating, issuing early flood warnings and operating the closure and opening of sewers.
