HCM City’s skyline, as viewed from the Thủ Thiêm urban area in Thủ Đức City. HCM City People’s Council gathered on Sunday to discuss accelerating the progress of key projects in the city. — VNS Photo Bồ Xuân Hiệp

HCM CITY — The HCM City People’s Council convened a session on Sunday to approve policies to carry out key projects more quickly and decide on the city administration’s personnel.

Speaking at the opening session of the 15th HCM City People’s Council, Nguyễn Thị Lệ, chairwoman of the People’s Council, urged the city administration to accelerate public spending to speed up the progress of key projects including rail and metro routes and those under the transit-oriented development planning model.

She also ordered that the city improve public services, streamline administrative reform, control inflation and stabilise the macro-economy

The city needs to create an attractive working environment to match its diverse culture, heritage conservation and scenic river, she added.

The chairwoman called on the city to overcome challenges to achieve its growth targets for the year, put at 7.5-8 per cent.

In response, Phan Văn Mãi, chairman of the People’s Committee, said the city would enforce strict measures against contractors who are underperforming or non-compliant to speed up the projects.

It has instructed relevant agencies to reduce the time they take for appraising and approving investment projects by at least a third.

It has also established a Steering Committee with specialised groups and project teams to monitor the quality and progress of key projects.

It is vital to complete land acquisition for major projects no later than June 30 to ensure their progress, he said, urging contractors of major projects to report any problems quickly.

While the city spent nearly VNĐ6 trillion in the first four months, almost three times over the same period last year, it was only 7.5 per cent of the annual spending plan, according to Mãi.

“At the current rate, the city must spend at least VNĐ10 trillion every month until the end of the year,” he said.

The country’s largest city has set a goal to spend 95 per cent of the allocation of VNĐ79.2 trillion, or VNĐ11.2 trillion more than last year.

Master plan adjustments

The meeting discussed adjustments to the city’s master plan by 2040, particularly reviewing land use plans, land prices, housing development plans and the development and management of social housing, up until 2040.

Under the plan, the city aims to make more efficient use of the natural conditions and ecosystems to protect the environment and adapt to climate change.

Lệ has called on the city to develop a framework to allocate capital and approve the total cost estimate, urging collaboration with the Construction Ministry and others to adjust the master plan.

The project will mean developing a comprehensive infrastructure connecting the city with neighbouring provinces, transforming Thủ Đức City into an innovative city model.

The session will also discuss the implementation of a National Assembly-approved resolution to pilot special mechanisms and policies for rapid and sustainable development in the city.

It will also determine personnel for the city's People’s Committee as required by law.

The session will also address developing high-quality human resources and promoting digital transformation for digital governance, a digital economy and a smart city. — VNS