Proposing to implement Ka Pet Lake project with the highest determination and effort

The Government has just reported to the National Assembly on the implementation of the Ka Pet Reservoir Project (project), Ham Thuan Nam. At the same time, it has proposed and recommended to the National Assembly solutions to remove some difficulties and obstacles that have led to the project's slow progress. In particular, the Government is assigned to continue directing the People's Committee of Binh Thuan province to urgently accelerate the implementation of the Ka Pet Reservoir Project with the spirit of determination and the highest effort.

According to the Government's report on the project implementation, up to now, the People's Committee of Binh Thuan province has completed the application for a license to exploit and use surface water. At the same time, the project implementation progress is expected in the coming time, including the submission for appraisal and approval of the investment project to end on June 6, 2024. The Government said that ensuring the completion of the project on time according to Resolution No. 101/2023/QH15 dated June 24, 2023 of the National Assembly is very difficult (according to the Resolution, the project implementation period is from 2019 to 2025).

One of the difficulties of the project is that the investor has directed the consulting unit to urgently conduct a geological survey and complete the feasibility study report to send to the consulting unit for review. However, during the implementation process, the consulting unit was slow to complete, the report was still inaccurate and lacked data. Therefore, up to now, the review of the feasibility study report for the project has not been completed. In addition, during the geological survey, the current location of the main dam line is located on a weak geological layer. Therefore, the consulting unit and the Project Management Board (PMU) need time to consider handling this geological layer or to move the line position to a certain extent so that the dam foundation has better geology but does not change the reservoir capacity, does not increase the scale and construction costs.

*Geological survey of Ka Pet reservoir construction area.*

On the other hand, to complete the feasibility study report before submitting it for appraisal and approval of the project, it is necessary to fully update the costs related to compensation for site clearance, replacement forestation, waste disposal site location, etc. Therefore, the People's Committee of Binh Thuan province has directed departments, branches, sectors and localities to urgently implement. However, the arrangement of production land for 5 households with production land located in the reservoir of about 5.1 hectares. Due to the lack of land fund to arrange for on-site resettlement for the above 5 households, the locality has now mobilized and persuaded the households to accept land compensation in cash, at the same time supporting job conversion, creating conditions for livelihoods and stabilizing life. On the other hand, it is necessary to organize a review of the land area to organize replacement forestation according to regulations, etc.

*People in the project area in Ham Can, My Thanh (Ham Thuan Nam) are facing many difficulties due to lack of water.*

Regarding solutions to remove difficulties in project implementation, the Government currently recommends and proposes that the National Assembly assign the Government to continue directing the People's Committee of Binh Thuan province to urgently accelerate the implementation of the Ka Pet reservoir project with the spirit of determination and the highest effort. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment coordinate closely and support the People's Committee of Binh Thuan province to promptly complete the appraisal of the environmental impact assessment report and the project's feasibility study report in accordance with regulations. In case the project cannot be implemented on schedule, the People's Committee of Binh Thuan province is requested to prepare a dossier to adjust the project investment policy in accordance with the provisions of the law on public investment and take full responsibility for arising issues (if any)...

*Arid land is not productive in the project area.*

The Ka Pet Reservoir Project in Ham Thuan Nam District aims to provide irrigation water for agricultural production, raw water for industrial zones and people's daily life, prevent and control floods and improve the environment, regulate water for the downstream area of Ham Thuan Nam and Binh Thuan Province. The scale of the project includes a regulating reservoir with a total capacity of 51.21 million m³, a useful capacity of 47.41 million m³, a canal system and other auxiliary works. The total land use area of the project is 697.73 hectares. The total investment of the project is VND 874,089 billion, including capital from the central budget of VND 519,927 billion and local budget of VND 354,162 billion.

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