Transport sector must not exchange quality for progress: minister

Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The has granted an interview to VietnamPlus about the achievements gained in 2021, the transport sector’s plans and the challenges awaiting in the New Year of 2022.

Talking about the achievements of last year, he said 2021 was full of difficulties in all aspects, due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, thanks to the Party and Government’s leadership, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) has accomplished most of its tasks.

He elaborated that amid complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the fourth wave of infections in southern provinces and cities, the MoT coordinated with other ministries, sectors and localities to prevent prolonged congestion, maintain smooth traffic and keep the flows of goods uninterrupted to serve people’s daily lives, as well as production and business activities.

This was reflected most clearly in the strong growth of cargo exports and imports via seaports with an increase of 12% in container goods. The first cargo trains to Europe also started in 2021.

Drastic directions were issued for many key projects, several of which were carried out on schedule or completed, such as the Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway project in Hanoi, repairs to Thang Long Bridge in the capital city, upgrades to runways at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat international airports, and sub-projects of the North-South Expressway project.

Despite the complex COVID-19 situation, transport projects across the country continued, he said, noting that key projects are being implemented as planned.

In 2021, the MoT was assigned to disburse more than 43 trillion VND (1.8 billion USD), 96% of which was disbursed, meeting the target set by the Government.

In addition, there were sharp declines in the number of traffic accidents, injuries and deaths. The number of traffic-related fatalities nosedived to about 6,000 last year, from 12,000 in 2011, the official went on.

Regarding the focal tasks for 2022, he said the MoT will focus on boosting institutional reforms and decentralisation; recovering transport activities to sustain goods flows and economic development; pressing on with key projects, especially the second phase of the North-South Expressway project’s eastern wing; and bringing into play traffic safety achievements to reduce accidents, injuries and deaths by 5-10%.

The MoT hopes that the Government will continue giving directions that help tackle difficulties and build transport infrastructure, The added, calling on localities to continue working closely with the ministry during the implementation of transport projects, particularly in site clearance, as this will contribute to local economic growth.

He noted for the 2021-2025 tenure, his sector was allocated 420 trillion VND, including backup and maintenance funding, and the ministry will have to disburse around 80 trillion VND each year.

The ministry will sustain the current disbursement speed for the projects already underway while stepping up making investment and design plans for others so that construction can begin in July-August and capital be disbursed by the end of the year.

Viewing the disbursement of capital as an important task, the MoT is taking drastic actions to ensure contractors and project managing boards implement projects on schedule, he said.

In terms of the North-South Expressway’s sub-projects, the minister stressed that quality is the top priority, adding the MoT has demanded ground be handed over early to reinforce land, and materials and construction be strictly monitored to guarantee quality.

The MoT will bear responsibility before the National Assembly and Government if those sub-projects are not completed by 2025, but it will not exchange quality for progress since each project is always subject to people’s supervision, he emphasised./.