National Assembly deputy chairwoman Tong Thi Phong has assessed a pilot project in HCM City and Ba Ria- Vung Tau Province to abolish People’s Councils at district and ward levels as successful.

Phong chaired a meeting on Tuesday in Dong Nai Province to review the pilot project which has been running for one year in six southern provinces and HCM City.

“Step by step, people’s representative agencies at the higher level have been granted more power,” she said.

During the meeting, Phong gathered input from provincial and city representatives about the progress of the pilot, and said the experiences shared by the representatives would help NA administer the project better.

Pham Phuong Thao, head of HCM City People’s Council said the city simplified its administration system, reducing the number of overlapping responsibilities and functions of lower-level authorities.

Thai said the pilot project didn’t affect socio- economic development or national defence.

Representatives from other provinces agreed with Thao and said IT applications were key to improving governance efficiency./.