President Truong Tan Sang has emphasised the need to apply urgent measures to deal with climate change in the vulnerable Mekong Delta region.

Touring several localities at risk along the region on March 3-4, he said the investment to projects should be calculated carefully to ensure their efficiency and avoid wastefulness.

In the southernmost province of Ca Mau , the president inspected the extraordinary damage caused by natural disasters, especially to the dyke system in the province’s western coastal region.

Located below sea level with a total coastline of 254 kilometers, Ca Mau has suffered an increasing number of unpredictable landslides. If the sea level continues to rise, Ca Mau will loose about 90,000 hectares of farmland.

While inspecting the Bac Lieu Wind Power Plant in Vinh Trach Dong commune, Bac Lieu city, President Sang urged the investors to step up the second phase of its development, adding that the government encourages businesses to invest more in green energy.

After nine months of operation, the 5.2 trillion VND (244.4 million USD) plant generated more than 20 million kWh of power worth 35 billion VND.

The same day, President Sang visited the glasshouse shrimp farming operation of Hai Nguyen Company in Vinh Trach Dong commune, Bac Lieu City , which covers more than 1 hectare with a yearly output of 50 tonnes.

While working with the Steering Committee for the Southwestern Region, he noted that despite many difficulties last year, Mekong Delta localities still recorded a number of socio-economic achievements, with 9 percent economic growth and a rice output of 24.8 million tonnes, up 500,000 tonnes against the previous year.

Highlighting the importance of the southwestern region, he asked the committee as well as leaders of the regional localities to make full use of the region’s advantages and strengths, enhancing production of agricultural products for export, and improving the infrastructure system.

He urged the region to increase the application of science and technology to production to raise the quality and quantity of agricultural products.

Visiting the Military Zone 9, the president asked officers and soldiers to promote the unit’s heroic tradition, ensuring regional defence and staying proactive to cope with all situations.

On the occasion of the 25 th anniversary of the People’s Border Force, he visited and extended greetings to officials and soldiers in the Nha Mat border post in Bac Lieu city and Khanh Hoi border post in Hu Minh district, Ca Mau province.

He hailed the border soldiers’ efforts in ensuring the security and defence in the region as well as effective support to local fishermen.

While in Bac Lieu, he also presented gifts to policy beneficiary families and people who rendered services to the city.-VNA