An overview of Thuận Thành Environment JSC in Thuận Thành District in northern Bắc Ninh Province. — Photo tuoitrethudo.com.vn

BẮC NINH — The Department of Natural Resources and Environment in northern Bắc Ninh Province has asked all relevant authorities to investigate the illegal dumping of toxic waste by a local environment company into the province’s Cầu River.

In a document, the department has asked local authorities in Phong Khê, Đại Phúc and Vân Dương wards to urgently examine illegal dumping along the river.

Any violations must be strictly fined, it said.

The move was made after local press reported that Thuận Thành Environment JSC, which is in charge of collecting, transporting and treating hazardous waste in Thuận Thành District’s Gia Đông Commune, was illegally dumping waste into the river.

Lê Đức Thọ, deputy head of the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment's Division of Environmental Protection said the division has asked all businesses working in the field of hazardous waste management to report regular inspections on the collection, transportation and treatment of waste.

The division has also urged relevant authorities at the grass-roots level to strengthen inspections and set up barriers in areas where illegal dumping has been reported. 

Vũ Mạnh Tiến, director of Thuận Thành Environment JSC, told Vietnam News Agency that the company has full capacity in waste treatment, licensed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

All of the company's trucks were equipped with GPS devices and were closely monitored by the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Tiến said the company planned to invest in technological innovation in production to minimise the impact on the surrounding environment.

It would build a closed garbage warehouse which prevented odours, upgrade incinerator technology and modern gas treatment system, implement regular inspection of environmental quality in the production area and around the factory area.

It would coordinate with local authorities to collect opinions about the environment and the surrounding area, he said.

In reply to questions over sewers installed under the irrigation system near the company, representatives of the Thuận Thành District’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment affirmed that the sewers were to discharge rainwater.

Nguyễn Bá Tuấn, head of Ngọc Khám Village in Gia Đông Commune said local authorities had regularly monitored the operation of the company.

He said local people expected to get answers from authorised agencies soon.

Thuận Thành Environment JSC was established in 2009, specialising in collecting and transporting domestic and hazardous waste in 17 communes and one town in Thuận Thành District. —VNS