The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is set to make a decision in conjunction with concerned agencies and Vedan on how much compensation . . .

Vedan discharged untreated waste water to the Thi Vai River.

He underlined the vital role of the negotiations held between Vedan and affected residents in arriving at the compensation figure.

Meanwhile, the company and the Institute of Natural Resources and Environment have agreed that the former has caused 77 per cent of the river’s pollution.

The pollution affected nine communes in the two provinces of Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau and HCM City.

The Institute of Natural Resources and Environment has reported to the ministry the results of its talks with Vedan about the pollution level.

It has also measured the pollution at each commune based on which Vedan would have to pay compensation.

But the ministry would make the final decision on the matter, the institute said.

The areas worst hit are Phuoc An and Long Tho communes (Nhon Trach District) and Long Phuoc and Phuoc Thai communes (Long Thanh District) in Dong Nai Province; and Phu My Town and My Xuan and Tan Phuoc communes (Tan Thanh District) in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News