Dozens of delayed projects have had a negative impact on the lives of those living in Dien Duong Commune, Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province.
These projects have been planned for construction for 10 years but still, have yet to begin.
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| Many damaged houses are not allowed to be repaired because of planning policies |
Dien Duong Commune currently is home to nearly 4,000 families or 14,000 people. According to statistical data from the People’s Committee of the commune, there are a total of 25 planned projects in the commune.
However, most of these projects have been delayed. Notably, the Dragon Beach project was set to begin in 2008 with a USD4.15 billion investment from Tano Capital, LLC and Global C&D but it has not been commenced yet.
This project will cover 460 hectares from Ha Quang Dong, Ha Quang Tay, and Ha Quang Bac hamlets to Quang Gia Hamlet.
Additionally, the Truong Son (later renamed Hai Long) Project occupying 7.7 hectares and Sai Thanh Project occupying 125 hectares are waiting for being constructed.
Consequently, thousands of people in the commune have encountered immense difficulties because of the planned projects. They cannot sell their properties, rebuild or repair their badly damaged houses.
Tran Van Muoi of Ha Quang Bac Hamlet said, “Last year’s storm damaged my house but I am not allowed to fix it because my house belongs to the planned project of Da Nang C Hospital. This year’s rainy season is approaching and it will be very difficult to cope with storms.”
Huynh Ba Linh at Ha Quang Dong Hamlet has had his house tied up by the Dragon Beach project. It cannot be rebuilt even though it is severely damaged.
“People here need a clear answer from investors and authorities. If they do not carry out their projects, they should let us stabilise our lives. We cannot live like this, year after year,” said an angry Linh.
Furthermore, many pre-school children do not even have safe classrooms for their schooling. Local authorities have had to hire residential houses for them to learn. Most classrooms were damaged by the last year’s storms but they are not licensed to be repaired or rebuilt.
In fact, many houses are being rebuilt without license because of urgent accommodation demands of civilians.
Le Van Khue, Chairman of Dien Duong Commune said that the commune authority already knows about illegal house construction but have just given violators warnings. If we came up with a serious punishment, many people here would not have houses to stay in.
Khue added that his commune sent many requests to the district’s authority asking for financial support to repair kindergartens but they were rejected. The commune used their own money for rebuilding kindergartens in several hamlets.
According to Khue, people here cannot figure out their own life until the questions are answered. They have to wait for investors of delayed projects and higher level authorities. He himself cannot do anything to help his people.
