An online exchange was held by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) on September 20 with the participation of MONRE Minister Mai Ai Truc, MONRE Deputy Ministers Dang Hung Vo and Pham Khoi Nguyen and representatives from local departments of natural resources and environment.

The exchange aimed to answer questions raised by people and enterprises relating to the slow use of land under master plans and investment projects known as “pending” master plans and “pending“ projects.

VOVNews reporter interviewed MONRE Minister Mai Ai Truc on the issues of pubic concern.

VOVNews: What is your opinion about the main issues of concern to people?

Minister Truc: We have received more than 4,000 questions relating to the ministry’s management and “pending” master plans and projects.

Most questions referred to difficulties facing people living in the areas where “pending” master plans and projects are located. In these areas, people’s land use rights are restricted and they are even banned from transferring land, buying and selling houses. People said that infrastructure investments remain suspended in some areas.

VOVNews: How will the MONRE address these issues relating to pending master plans and projects?

Minister Truc: The MONRE has made documents on legal institutions and policies associated with the areas under the ministry’s control so that relevant agencies are responsible for examining and inspecting the ministry’s law enforcement. The MONRE does not make decisions on land lease and allocation so it can not decide to abolish “pending” master plans and projects. The MONRE is responsible for urging localities to implement the National Assembly’s resolution on solving pending master plans and projects by July 1, 2007. The bottom line is that all those involved in zoning plans must bear responsibility.

VOVNews: Some people fear that it is impossible to solve all pending master plans and projects before the deadline of July 1, 2007. What is your opinion?

Minister Truc: I don’t think this will be difficult. There are different ways to solve pending master plans and projects. First, if the master plan is fine and feasible but needs further preparation, we will have to adjust the given time and inform local people. Second, if the master plan is feasible but the scale is too big, we will have to adjust its scale and inform local people. Third, if the master plan is not feasible, we will have to stop implementing it and inform local people that the area is clear out.

In my opinion, the deadline of July 1, 2007 is achievable. The problem now is whether localities are determined to deal with it, as I said there is not only one way to solve the situation.

VOVNews: Some localities still hesitate to deal with pending master plans and projects. What will the MONRE do?

Minister Truc: The MONRE does not have the right to punish localities which have pending master plans and projects. The ministry has the right and responsibility to report to the Prime Minister on pending master plans and projects in localities.

The MONRE has asked localities to send their reports on pending master plans and projects before September 25. The ministry will verify these reports at the end of October and report to the Prime Minister. Within our function, the ministry will propose some solutions for minimising pending master plans and projects.

VOVNews: Thank you.