Construction of the Cái Sơn Canal embankment to prevent erosion in Cần Thơ City’s Ninh Kiều District. – VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Liêm

CẦN THƠ – Cần Thơ City has called on competent agencies and contractors to speed up work on major construction projects.

Deputy chairman of its People’s Committee, Nguyễn Văn Hồng, and officials from city departments on Wednesday  inspected three construction works - the Cần Thơ River embankment, the Cái Sơn Canal embankment and upgrades to the Cái Sơn - Mương Khai canals and Hoàng Quốc Việt Road. 

They have been delayed by slow land clearance, and before the inspection, their contractors had asked for the deadlines to be delayed.  

The Cần Thơ River embankment to prevent erosion, running through the districts of Ninh Kiều, Cái Răng and Phong Điền, will be more than 51 kilometres long and costs more than VNĐ810 billion (US$35 million).

It is scheduled to be completed in September.

More than 60 per cent of land has been acquired and VNĐ251 billion ($10.9 million) has been disbursed for it.

But with compensation payment facing difficulties, households have not been relocated, according to the Cần Thơ Investment Construction Project Management Board.

The Cái Sơn Canal embankment will run more than 2.8 kilometres in the districts of Ninh Kiều and Bình Thuỷ and cost nearly VNĐ315 billion ($13.6 million).

Its completion is overdue but it is only 51 per cent complete yet, the city Irrigation Sub-department said.

Upgrades to the Cái Sơn - Mương Khai canals and Hoàng Quốc Việt Road have been delayed by slow capital disbursement and land acquisition.

Hồng said the city People’s Committee has instructed the contractors of the three projects and departments overseeing them to seek approval for the deadline and funding changes from competent agencies.

It is ordering the land development centres of Ninh Kiều, Bình Thuỷ and Cái Răng districts to support land clearance for the projects and speed up the process of resettling households, he said.

It has also instructed the Department of Industry and Trade to help companies affected by the construction and not relocated yet to move soon, he added.

The People’s Committee is petitioning the city’s People’s Council and ministries to allocate additional funds for the projects to ensure they can be completed in the next five years. – VNS