Local leaders intimidated for putting brakes on sand exploitation
The chairman of the People’s Committee in the northern Vietnamese province of Quang Ninh has been the victim of threats since launching a campaign to end harmful sand exploitation in a local river.
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Speaking with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on March 15, Chairman Quynh stated he had asked the Ministry of Public Security to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the investors behind the detrimental project.
According to the official, three sand exploitation projects along the waterway were approved in 2014 and executed by the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration (VIWA).
Ha Luu Company, the contractor hired by VIWA to carry out one of the three, was found to be taking advantage of the project to illegally exploit sand, causing serious damage to local dams and riverbanks.
The damage was only exacerbated by local sand thieves also operating in the area, according to the official.
It cost the provincial People’s Committee about VND30 billion (US$1.3 million) to fix the environmental impacts of the project, resulting in the committee putting a ban on similar projects since 2015.
However, a dredging project reappeared in November 2016, with around 40 boats operating on a daily basis, sparking concern from the local public over its threats to the environment.
“Our probe revealed that the People’s Committee in Bac Giang Province approved the plan to be carried out until the end of 2017,” Bac Ninh provincial chairman stated.
Officials threatened
Chairman Quynh confirmed to Tuoi Tre he himself had been threatened after trying to interfere with the project.
However, the official refused to reveal further details of the threats and intimidation experienced by him and other officers.
“We have informed the prime minster of the situation. As competent authorities are probing our case, we cannot provide further information regarding the threats,” he elaborated.
Aside from the investigation, the province’s leader has also requested the Ministry of Transport to conduct an evaluation on the river dredging project.
He quoted the suggestion of the Bac Ninh People’s Committee to cease the project due to its negative effects on the environment.
According to the chairman, the fact that the project developer and local sand thieves operate at the same time is creating a significant challenge for competent agencies to identify and prevent the criminals.
