NA leader urges fixes on implementations of BOT transport projects

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has called on relevant State agencies to fine-tune regulations on projects under build-operate-transfer (BOT) contracts as a number of ill-implemented projects have caused public protest.

The meeting of the National Assembly Committee

She told the NA Standing Committee on August 15 that a strong legal framework is needed to ensure that the government and private enterprises properly fulfil their contract obligations.

According to a report of the NA Economic Committee, BOT is the right approach to improve transport infrastructure amid a strained State budget and shrinking official development assistance.

However there are many shortcomings when implementing such projects, especially in regards to toll collection when the tollbooths are improperly positioned or the distance between the two nearest tollbooths is too short.

These flaws have caused public outrage and led to long protests, notably the incident at the Cai Lay toll station on National Highway 1 in Tien Giang province when drivers protested by using small-denomination banknotes placed in plastic bottles to pay the toll.

The Cai Lay toll station on National Highway 1 in Tien Giang province. Photo: Huu Nghi

Chairman of the NA Committee for External Relations Nguyen Van Giau stated that toll collections should be reconsidered on the roads to which there are no alternatives.

Meanwhile NA Vice Chairman Do Ba Ty stated that the government should buy back toll collection rights at stations where the distance to the one before or after it is less than the requirement of 70 kilometres.

Furthermore, supervision should be stepped up to punish violations and ensure transparency in toll collection so that similar incidents like Cai Lay will not happen again in the future.

(Source: NDO)