Located about 20km from the mainland, Nhon Chau is the only island commune of Gia Lai. Despite harsh natural conditions and difficult traffic, in recent years, the socio-economy and people's lives on the island have had many positive changes.
The whole commune has more than 600 households with over 2,300 people. About 65% of households are engaged in fishing and aquaculture; the rest are small traders and provide tourism services. Currently, there are about 200 fishing vessels, with an average output of more than 650 tons/year, and estimated revenue of about 33 billion VND.
Infrastructure is gradually being invested in. The road connecting 3 villages, about 24km long, has been concreted; the ring road system around the island combines national defense with people's livelihood, creating favorable conditions for travel and transportation of goods. Markets, schools, health stations and some public works have been built and upgraded, contributing to improving the quality of life.
However, civil infrastructure is still lacking and not synchronized. People in the island commune proposed that the province soon allocate funds to repair and upgrade the civil bridge and ferry system to ensure traffic, transportation of goods and serve tourists.
People also hope to soon be invested in centralized wastewater treatment systems to ensure environmental sanitation; build boat shelters to serve storm shelter and aquaculture; re-plan people's cemeteries, invest in ash storage houses associated with green cemetery park models.
Mr. Duong Hiep Hung - Chairman of Nhon Chau Commune People's Committee - said that the recommendations all stem from practical needs, associated with the goal of improving the quality of life and sustainable development. However, the commune's budget is still limited, many projects exceed the local balance capacity, and require support from higher levels.
According to the leader of the Department of Construction, investing in a centralized wastewater treatment system in the commune is necessary, in line with the orientation of tourism development and environmental protection. In the general plan of Nhon Chau commune to 2045, a wastewater treatment station with a capacity of about 350m3/day and night has been arranged.
According to the current regulations of the Provincial People's Committee, commune-level People's Committees are responsible for planning and proposing investment in drainage and wastewater treatment systems according to decentralization. Therefore, Nhon Chau Commune People's Committee needs to urgently complete the dossier and implement the correct procedures for departments and branches to advise the Provincial People's Committee to consider and supplement it to the list of investment calls; cases that are truly urgent will be considered for support according to budget capacity.
Proposals on upgrading bridges, ferries, building boat sheds and planning cemeteries are being considered according to the general plan until 2045. On that basis, localities need to proactively review needs, balance resources, and integrate other legal capital sources to gradually complete people's infrastructure, creating a foundation for stable and long-term development.
