PM okeys US$ 2 billion package for Mekong Delta Region to better road system

Minister Dung made the announcement in a Q&A session of the National Assembly on financial resources for the Mekong Delta Region on November 9 in Ha Noi.

So far, in the Mekong Delta Region, the rural road system has yet met transport demands and served for agro-forestry-fishery development potentials. There are no continuous connection with national roads and provincial roads especially in remote and far-reaching areas, requiring additional investment. 

Firstly, regarding trans-regional road system, the Ministry of Transport will speed up construction progress of national roads and highways which will connect Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, and Can Tho by 2025.

Meanwhile, 13 Mekong Delta provinces will spend local budgets to improve local infrastructure.

In addition, the US$ 2 billion package sourced from the central budget would help the region perfect the infrastructure system.

In the 2021-2025 period, the Ministry of Planning and Investment would support local budgets with about US$ 1.05 billion to build coastal roads and other important transport projects.

Especially, each locality will be supported to develop an important trans-regional infrastructure project.

On this occasion, Minister Dung clarified questions on investment in border embankments and climate change response construction projects. So far, Viet Nam has only constructed urgent embankment sites. In the coming time, the MoPI will work with relevant ministries to build a long-term master scheme on border embankments.

According to Minister Dung, the Government has spent about VND 4.8 trillion (US$ 230 million) in amending critical dykes.

The Mekong Delta, home to Can Tho City and 12 provinces, has been experiencing especially harsh droughts and salinization. /.

By Kim Anh