PM Nguyen Tan Dung (left) talks to residents of Ly Son island district as he initiates the building of a 27km underground cable connecting the district to the national electricity grid. - VNA/VNS Photo Duc Tam
QUANG NGAI (VNS) – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung initiated the building of a 27km underground cable connecting Ly Son island district in the central province of Quang Ngai to the national electricity grid yesterday.
The project, started in October last year and finished three months ahead of schedule, makes Ly Son the third island district in the country to join the national power grid so far, after Co To in northern Quang Ninh Province and Phu Quoc in southern Kien Giang Province.
Islanders can now enjoy a reliable supply of electricity around the clock, an improvement over six hours a day in the past.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Dung said the project was significant for socio-economic and cultural development in the island district as well as defence and security. He praised the efforts of contractors, workers and relevant agencies to ensure the safety and efficiency of the project and asked authorities in Quang Ngai province, particularly Ly Son, to manage the project effectively, contributing to economic growth on the island and safeguarding national sovereignty over sea and islands.
Earlier on Saturday, the Government leader held a working session with key leaders of Quang Ngai province, during which he asked the locality to review its socio-economic circumstances to ensure all objectives were met. He told the leaders to speed up a number of key projects, including the construction of the Highway 1 and Highway 24 sections that run through the locality, and prepare for the upcoming flood season. He also requested the province outline a plan for 2015 to make full use of its advantages in maritime economy, aquaculture and seafood processing, industry, services and tourism, pay more attention to removing barriers for local enterprises and undertake efforts to attract investment to its industrial parks.
During the session, the PM provided feedback on a number of Quang Ngai’s proposals regarding financial assistance for ground clearance and resettlement efforts for key industrial and transport projects and the programme to build new-style rural areas.
The Prime Minister also witnessed the completion of the final link of the Cua Dai Bridge in Quang Nam province yesterday, an important part of the north-south coastal road.
The project includes a bridge and two roads connecting Hoi An and the districts of Duy Xuyen and Thang Binh, with a combined length of 18.3km.
It was built at a total cost of VND3.45 trillion (US$162.15 million).
Speaking at the event, the PM highlighted the significance of the bridge in Quang Nam’s socio-economic development, saying that once completed, the project would create momentum for the development of the province’s eastern coastal area.
He asked local authorities and units involved to work hard to put the bridge into operation.
The bridge is scheduled to open on trial in March 2015.
Ethnic minority issues
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Saturday urged authorities of central Quang Nam Province to help more ethnic minorities escape from poverty and fully benefit from the State’s social welfare policies.
He made the call at a working session with the authorities that aimed to get an update on the province’s socio-economic situation.
The Government leader asked the province to pay more attention to the issues of health care, education and cultural development, especially among ethnic minorities, a majority of whom remain poor.
The province also needs to help businesses overcome difficulties while improving its investment climate to enhance competitiveness, as well as support farmers in modernising rural areas and enhancing environmental protection, he added.
Appropriate policies should be devised to draw high-technology, energy-saving and environment-friendly investment projects, and human resources development and vocational training should be given focus, Dung noted.
For rapid and sustainable growth, the province should continue capitalising on its strengths in agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and tourism, he remarked.
The Prime Minister urged authorities to work harder to realise 2014 growth targets and prepare plans for the coming years. He also heard proposals on key provincial projects such as the building of a gas-power centre at Chu Lai Open Economic Zone and the expansion of National Highway 1A.
In the first nine months of this year, Quang Nam recorded positive economic outcomes, with industrial production achieving a year-on-year revenue increase of 20 per cent while food production achieved 6.2 per cent and services, 21 per cent. – VNS
Đăng ký: VietNam News