Erosion on the riverbank of Ba Rài River in Tiền Giang Province’s Cai Lậy District has become increasingly severe. — Photo www.sggp.org.vn

MEKONG DELTA — The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta will receive an additional capital of VNĐ4 trillion (nearly US$164 million) to combat riverbank and coastal erosion.

Deputy Prime Minister Lê Minh Khái has signed a decision on additional capital for the Mekong Delta to carry out erosion prevention projects along its rivers and coast.

Accordingly, the Prime Minister agreed to add VNĐ4 trillion from the central budget in 2023 for erosion prevention projects to be implemented in six localities, including VNĐ250 billion ($10.3 million) for Long An, VNĐ200 billion ($8.2 million) for Tiền Giang, VNĐ300 billion ($12.3 million) for Bến Tre, VNĐ200 billion for Trà Vinh, VNĐ500 billion ($20.5 million) for Vĩnh Long, VNĐ200 billion for Hậu Giang, and VNĐ250 billion for Cần Thơ city.

He asked the leaders of the people’s committees in the localities to distribute the allocated capital to suitable erosion prevention projects in compliance with regulations.

Relevant state agencies must urgently complete necessary investment procedures and mobilise other additional financial aid according to the law in order to ensure sufficient capital for those projects.

The projects must be finished no later than December 31, 2024.

The allocated capital from the central budget must not be used for other purposes.

The projects must be carried out in compliance with applicable laws. There must not be any financial loss, waste or corruption.

The Prime Minister also requested that the Ministry of Planning and Investment cooperate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Finance, and relevant state agencies to form an interdisciplinary task force for regular checking of the use of this distributed capital.

In the case that the capital is wrongly used, the Prime Minister must be reported immediately so that the locality's leaders are punished and the money is withdrawn. — VNS