(VOVworld) – Hydropower projects will be reported to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung before being invested, according to Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang.

Son La hydropower plant (Source: laodong.com.vn)

Hoang told National Assembly deputies about hydropower planning on Wednesday afternoon. Every hydropower project, regardless of any scale, must be approved by the Prime Minister to get started. This will help the government efficiently manage the construction of hydropower projects nationwide. The deputies appreciated the government’s examination of hydropower projects, which they said necessary to prevent environmental degradation.  They said that Vietnam had great potential for hydropower for socio-economic development, but the development of hydropower in recent years has shown inadequacy in management and dealing with the livelihoods of the people in the resettlement areas. Danh Ut is a deputy from Kien Giang province: "The government should continue examining hydropower projects and define the responsibilities of management agencies of all levels in investment licensing in order to prevent ecological imbalance and an adverse affect on people’s lives. The government and localities need to resolve complaints about the unfinished construction of resettlement areas. It is necessary to promulgate mechanisms and policies to help people quickly stabilize their lives after resettlement. The National Assembly needs to issue resolutions on investment planning, construction, operation and the utilization of hydropower projects". 

A resolution on comprehensive hydropower planning is expected to be approved by the National Assembly in the coming days.

On Wednesday afternoon, deputies agreed on some adjustments to the resolution on investment for the construction of the Ho Chi Minh national highway.