Central Nghe An Province mobilised more than 70 police officers to clear rubbish which have been left for days in Vinh City after the locals protests against a dumping ground project.
Rubbish truck stuck inside Vinh City
Local households were convinced that the authorities would not pay compensation for 29 hectares of paddy lands which were affected by the solid waste treatment and disposal plant operated by the Nghe An Urban Environment Company. On June 28, households in Nghi Yen Commune, Nghi Loc District blocked the road to the plant.
With no where to go, rubbish has piled up inside Vinh City, polluting the city.
Nguyen Thi Vinh, a local in Nghi Yen Commune said, "Since this dumping ground began operating, dozens of hectares of our paddy fields have been badly affected. Last year we agreed compensation of VND75 million (USD3,600) per 500 square metres of land. The city and district authorities said they would pay us by June 30 but we haven't heard anything. Now our lands have been withdrawn and we’ve received no compensation. What are we supposed to live on?"
Vinh City, Nghe An Province and Nghi Loc District authorities asked the households to end their blockade, but the residents refused. Finally on July 3, locals agreed to attend a meeting.
At the meeting, the chairman of Nghi Loc People's Committee said local people were being unreasonable asking for compensation in advance of having their land withdrawn.
Le Quoc Hong, Deputy Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee said, "This dispute is because of a misunderstanding about compensation policies. We bought health insurance and clean water to support the households located within a one kilometre radius of the plant. In terms of the fields we’ve provided VND2,500 per square metre. We also transferred the compensation fee to Nghi Loc People's Committee's account. When Nghi Loc District authorities decide to withdraw the lands, the fee will be paid."
After it was approved by the heads of Nghe An Police, 70 police officers were mobilised to ensure the waste treatment plant could conduct its operations. Under police protection, 18 rubbish trucks entered the dumping ground.
"The pollution levels sharply deteriorated the last five days. The amount of rubbish is huge and the city’s population had increased during the university entrance exams. We encouraged people to temporarily keep their rubbish inside and we also sprayed disinfectant at the dumping locations. It may take the entire day for Nghe An Urban Environment Company to deal with the rubbish," Hong said.
The solid waste treatment project is three years behind schedule even though its deadlines have been extended many times since 2002. Currently, it is only running at 82% of capacity.
The people have blocked the road 34 times in 2011 because they are displeased with the slow progress.
Littered streets pollute the environment
Police called in
Rubbish moved to the plant
