City authorities have to clarify details of the graft case in which Huynh Ngoc Si, head of the East-West Highway and HCMC Water Environment projects, and other officials had allegedly accepted bribes from executives of Japan’s Pacific Consultants International (PCI).

Si was suspended and placed under investigation last month.

The residents also wanted to know about developments regarding the budget for overhauling the Van Thanh 2 overpass that links District 1 with Binh Thanh District.

Although the overpass was just built five years ago, it has deteriorated badly because resources were siphoned off during the construction process.

City authorities had announced earlier this month they would require full compensation of the estimated VND140 billion (over US$8.73 million) it would cost to repair the bridge.

The funds must be returned to the municipal budget after authorities clarify the responsibilities of partners involved in the project, they had said.

However, residents pointed out that no agency had been held responsible for the case or repaid the money until now.

Among other concerns voiced at the meeting were the plans to support vehicle drivers as the January 1, 2009 ban on all modified three- and four-wheeled vehicles draws near.

Residents said the city administration should expand the reach of the plans which currently only applies to a few beneficiaries, to help the drivers shift to other jobs including xe om (motorbike taxi) or light truck driving.

Reported by Minh Nam