Prime Minister Phạm Minh Hưng chairs a meeting on pushing up Long Thành International Airport project on Monday, May 4, in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Violations must be strictly handled in accordance with the law, with no forbidden areas or exceptions, while appropriate solutions must be found immediately to overcome difficulties and obstacles and prevent delays, stagnation and disruptions to the Long Thành International Airport project, said Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng.

The Prime Minister on Monday chaired a meeting to review and discuss measures to address difficulties and obstacles in Phase one of the Long Thành International Airport project, with the aim of putting it into operation this year.

He reaffirmed that Long Thành International Airport is a large-scale, key national and strategic transport infrastructure project of particular importance to the country’s socio-economic development.

The PM requested relevant ministries, sectors and agencies to fully understand the spirit of the Politburo’s directive in Conclusion No. 24-KL/TW dated April 13, on continuing to remove difficulties and obstacles in stalled and long-standing projects.

Accordingly, the Politburo approved the principle of allowing the consideration, handling and removal of difficulties and obstacles for the projects simultaneously with holding accountable collectives and individuals who violated regulations, ensuring that violations are not legalised, no new violations are created and a plan to remedy the damage is in place.

The investment project to build Long Thành International Airport covers an area of around 5,000 hectares, with total investment for Phase one estimated at VNĐ109.11 trillion (US$4.6 billion).

According to reports and opinions presented at the meeting, ministries, sectors, localities, the investor – Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), contractors and related units have made significant efforts in recent times, focusing on implementation and completing a very large volume of work.

Overall progress has reached about 76 per cent. Many components have been completed and are capable of operation, including the headquarters of State management agencies, the air traffic control tower, runway one, taxiways and aircraft aprons, the aircraft fuel supply system and connecting transport infrastructure.

Under Resolution No. 174/2024/QH15 dated November 30, 2024 of the National Assembly approving the investment policy, Phase one of the project must be completed in 2026.

However, the project is currently facing difficulties and obstacles. In particular, legal violations by some organisations and individuals during implementation have significantly affected construction progress, which is largely stalled, posing a high risk of failing to meet the schedule.

These issues stem from disruptions in leadership and direction by the investor and contractors at the site, payment bottlenecks, shortages of labour and materials and price fluctuations.

At the meeting, the PM welcomed and acknowledged the proactive efforts of relevant agencies and units in carrying out their assigned tasks.

PM Hưng said that with around 76 per cent of the project completed, equivalent to roughly VNĐ70 trillion, any prolonged suspension would cause significant waste and losses, seriously affecting investment efficiency and public and business confidence.

He stressed that completing and putting the project into commercial operation in 2026 is a mandatory objective.

Therefore, ministries, sectors, localities, the investor and all related units must strictly implement directives, ensuring progress, quality and efficiency and absolutely avoiding delays, waste and losses.

In the immediate term, ministries and relevant agencies must prioritise resolving two key issues: consolidating the positions of ACV Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer to strengthen accountability and effectiveness in management and operations and promptly removing obstacles to make payments to contractors for completed work.

The Prime Minister also instructed the Ministry of Public Security to direct the Police Department for Investigation of Corruption, Economic and Smuggling Crimes (C03) to expedite investigations and handle violations in the project, ensuring clear identification of individuals, tasks and responsibilities while enabling project packages to proceed on schedule.

The Ministry of Finance was tasked with directing its working group to resolve payment difficulties and to approve ACV’s personnel plan before May 7.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Construction is to direct its working group to proactively address issues related to construction materials, coordinate with Đồng Nai Province People’s Committee to resolve supply and pricing issues for raw materials, fuels and construction materials; and organise timely inspections and acceptance of completed works when conditions are met.

ACV is fully responsible for developing a detailed implementation plan and schedule, reporting weekly to relevant ministries, reviewing completed work volumes for each contractor to ensure payment in accordance with regulations and requiring contractors to strengthen construction resources.

It may also request HCM City and Đồng Nai to support labour needs if necessary.

Authorities have also proposed that the State Audit Office conduct immediate audits of completed packages and work items to help the investor and contractors prevent risks and address shortcomings during implementation.

The Chairman of Đồng Nai Province People’s Committee is responsible for ensuring adequate supply of fuel and materials for the project at reasonable prices and for directing contractors of fuel pipeline projects to complete procedures and accelerate construction to meet the schedule.

The Prime Minister assigned Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Gia Túc to directly oversee related tasks. — VNS