BẾN TRE — Only two years after an irrigation system worth VNĐ150 billion (US$6.6 million) was built in the southern province of Bến Tre’s Hưng Lễ Commune, it is showing signs of degradation.

The Sơn Đốc 2 irrigation system, with six gates with a length of 17 metres, was put to use in June 2015. A bridge was built atop the system, with a length of 171 metres and a width of 6 metres.

The work aimed at avoiding salt intrusion for more than 10,000 hectares of agricultural land in Giồng Trôm and Ba Tri districts and helped provide water for thousands of local households.

The work was invested by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Irrigation Work Investment and Construction Management Board No 10.  

However, after a short period of use, holes have occurred at the two gates of the irrigation system, seriously affecting work.

Lý Thị Nguyên, a resident of Hưng Lễ Commune, said the work could hardly prevent salt water from flowing into crops; so local residents still suffered losses. Although the system was shut down during the saline intrusion season, salt water still flew into their crops through holes, she added.

Nguyễn Công Trận, vice chairman of the communal People’s Committee, said the authorised agencies spent nearly VNĐ10 billion ($440,000) to repair holes on the third and fourth gates of the work. However, the situation has not been improved due to strong water flow.

More holes have occurred on the first gate, he said, adding that the construction work showed signs of subsidence, threatening the safety of the people going via the bridge.

Trận said the committee has asked the provincial authority and the ministry to find solutions.

Nguyễn Văn Ngân, deputy director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the ministry has already asked the Irrigation Work Investment and Construction Management Board No 10 to repair the system.  

The management board would select contractors to deal with the problem in December, he said. — VNS