Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung answered National Assembly deputies’ queries this morning, November 24. He was the last cabinet member questioned by the NA.

The PM presented six major issues including the bauxite exploitation project in the Central Highlands, the restructuring of Vinashin and the development of the electricity sector.

Regarding the Tan Rai and Nhan Co bauxite exploitation projects, PM Dung said that during the project’s pilot phase, he instructed the relevant ministries, the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Group (Vinacomin) and localities to thoroughly implement the Party and State policies. He also directed the construction, evaluation, processing and use of bauxite ore in the 2007-2015 period.

Vinacomin is the main investor of both projects Tan Rai and Nhan Co. China Aluminum Group is the EPC contractor and will hand over the factory to Vinacomin when construction is completed in two years’ time.

PM Dung added that the exploitation of bauxite will create favourable conditions to improve soil for commercial crops and forests in the central highlands.

After the red mud incident in Hungary, the PM asked relevant ministries and agencies to supervise the project’s construction and solutions for red-mud reservoirs.

The government has also asked Vinacomin to employ foreign consultants to re-evaluate the project and perfect the design of its red-mud reservoirs. At the same time, he also directed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to send a team to conduct a survey at the red-mud spill in Hungary.

The PM said that the survey team has delivered a report which says that technological and management solutions at Tan Rai red-mud lake have been assessed as very modern and safe. He will make a decision on how to go ahead with project once environmental safety is confirmed by foreign consultants.

Regarding the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group (Vinashin), the PM said, the government inspectors are urgently trying to reach a comprehensive conclusion on Vinashin. Independent auditors are checking this year’s business results and the group’s leaders are also supervising and updating the group’s financial accounts and assets, and other related data to ensure accuracy.

The government has also reviewed and analyzed reasons and responsibilities of the related agencies and mapped out a detailed plan to create conditions for Vinashin to stabilise and recover its production and business activities. The government also focused on perfecting a mechanism for improving the responsibility and efficiency of State management for state-owned enterprises to avoid such incidents as Vinashin.

As head of the government, the PM is responsible for Vinashin’s shortcomings and he is seriously considering every responsibility for clarification along with his deputies and other ministers involved.

The PM also said that it is difficult to implement a restructuring plan for Vinashin and the government needs the support and supervision of NA deputies.

To strengthen the management and improve the efficiency of economic groups and state corporations, the PM will continue to improve the management mechanism for investment and the use of State capital and property to help businesses take responsibility for their activities.

Nine NA deputies stood up to question the PM though 19 deputies registered for the session. Besides Vinashin and bauxite projects, they were very interested in the shortage of power, investment in rural areas and agriculture. The PM tried to answer all questions within three hours.

“I hope that deputies, the National Assembly and the people continue to share, support and cooperate with the government so we can fulfill our responsibility to the country, the Party and the people,” he said.

PV