HCM CITY — The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) has urged the southern province of Đồng Nai to hasten site clearance for two JICA-funded water projects to ensure timely completion.

The projects include a water drainage and wastewater treatment project in Biên Hòa city and the second phase of the Nhơn Trạch water plant.

Speaking to the Đồng Nai Province’s People’s Committee on Thursday, a JICA representative said the province should take drastic measures to implement the second phase.

The tardiness of site clearance for the first phase of the water plant has slowed down JICA’s capital disbursement.

JICA said it could consider providing capital only after the province completes site clearance and compensation payment for the affected households.

For the water drainage and wastewater treatment project in Biên Hoà city, JICA asked the provincial authorities to work closely with the Ministry of Planning and Investment. The ministry will send an official notice to JICA before the capital can be disbursed.

Speaking at the meeting, the chairman of the province’s People’s Committee, Đinh Quốc Thái, said that four more pipeline routes would be built in Long Thành and Nhơn Trạch districts as part of the second phase of the water plant.

The province is clearing the sites and will finish work on schedule, while site clearance for the water drainage project will be completed by the end of next year.

The province also plans to build an embankment from its own budget for the Biên Hoa-based project in early 2018.

The second phase of the Nhơn Trạch water plant project has a total investment capital of nearly VNĐ3.6 trillion ($161.4 million) and is expected to be completed in 2021.

The first phase of the factory, already operating, now supplies 100,000 cubic metres daily.

The water drainage and wastewater treatment project has a total cost of VNĐ8.5 trillion ($381 million). — VNS