A section of the newly upgraded Câu Ngòi canal.

NINH THUẬN — Authorities in the south-central province of Ninh Thuận have completed a project to expand and reinforce the local Câu Ngòi canal with funding from the Belgian government.
With a length of nearly 7.2km, the canal runs from Thanh Hải Commune in the city of Phan Rang – Tháp Chàm to Đầm Nai in Khánh Hải Town, Ninh Hải District, supplying water for thousands of local families and ensuring irrigation for more than 2,682ha of land. Before the recent upgrade, many sections of Câu Ngòi were damaged, causing water loss in the dry season and floods in the rainy season.
Beginning in July 2018, the Câu Ngòi project was part of a Belgian-funded programme on water management and urban development to adapt to climate change in Ninh Thuận. It cost a total of VNĐ180 billion (US$7.74 million), of which VNĐ145 billion was sourced from the Belgian Government’s non-refundable aid.
The project reinforced 6.7km of the canal, built roads along its two banks and constructed 46 water drains and four new bridges to facilitate the transport of farm produce.
Paul Jansen, Belgian Ambassador to Việt Nam, said the construction will directly benefit residents by reducing the risk of flooding, sanitation and health problems as well as mitigating the impact of climate change.
He said he hoped local authorities and people would manage and protect the canal for its effective and sustainable operation.
In the past decade, Belgium has provided the province with roughly VNĐ848 billion (US$36.4 million) in non-refundable aid to carry out five projects under the programme. — VNS