In 2023, the effective implementation of the public investment plan contributed to achieving positive results in the socio-economic situation. Entering 2024, the public investment sector continued to receive attention and strong direction from Thanh Hoa province from the beginning of the year, with the expectation of making this capital source a key resource, contributing to promoting economic growth and social security in the area.

Construction of traffic works under the Project for Integrated Development of Dynamic Cities - Tinh Gia Urban Sub-project.

In 2024, the total public investment capital in the province allocated by the Central Government is 12,115 billion VND; of which, the planned public investment capital from the State budget is more than 11,785 billion VND, the provincial budget savings in 2023 transferred to the first phase in 2024 is more than 330 billion VND... Immediately after the Government assigned the public investment plan, the Provincial People's Council assigned the Economic - Budget Committee to coordinate with specialized agencies to urgently complete the allocation plan for investors. Based on the capital absorption capacity of the projects, the Provincial People's Council has built and transferred the capital plan in a reasonable manner to promote the effectiveness of this capital source.

Resolutely implementing and disbursing public investment capital, on January 26, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee issued a directive on accelerating the progress of implementation and disbursement of public investment capital and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of management and use of public investment capital in 2024. Accordingly, with the goal of disbursing 100% of the public investment capital plan in 2024 before December 31, 2024, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested agencies, departments, branches, units, and investors to identify accelerating the progress of implementation and disbursement of public investment capital in 2024 as one of the top key political tasks, throughout to resolutely lead, direct implementation, thoroughly resolve difficulties, innovate methods and ways of managing public investment programs and projects to effectively organize the implementation of the 2024 public investment plan of localities and units.

The roadmap for completing this goal is also directed in detail, with the goal of disbursing at least 50% of the assigned capital plan by June 30; disbursing at least 70% of the assigned capital plan by September 30; disbursing at least 90% of the assigned capital plan by November 30; and disbursing 100% of the assigned capital plan by December 31.

Specifically, the roadmap for each group of projects is also directed; in which, completed projects must disburse 100% of capital before February 28; transitional projects expected to be completed in 2024 and projects completed after 2024 must disburse 50% or more of the assigned capital plan before May 31; newly started projects must disburse 50% or more of the assigned capital plan before July 30...

Based on the capital allocation plan, investors have developed detailed plans for project implementation progress; at the same time, proactively and promptly removed difficulties and obstacles in legal procedures and site clearance to facilitate the implementation process, avoiding the situation of "projects waiting for capital". This also fundamentally overcomes the situation of outstanding debts in basic construction when contractors advance capital for implementation but the State has not yet arranged the source.

With drastic direction from the beginning of the year, as of March 15, the total disbursement value of public investment capital of the province has reached 2,039.9 billion VND, equal to 16.8% of the detailed capital plan and 4.4% higher than the same period. This progress is currently nearly 2 times higher than the average disbursement rate of the whole country. Some investors are localities and provincial units with high and very high rates, such as: Bim Son town with 46.4%; Provincial Border Guard Command with 32%; Yen Dinh district with 28.2%; Hau Loc district with 25.4%; Trieu Son district with 23.2%; The Management Board of Investment Projects for Construction of Agricultural and Rural Development Works reached 20.9%... However, there are also units and investors that have not been able to disburse capital or have a very low disbursement rate compared to the average of the whole province, typically: Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; Management Board of Investment Projects for Construction of Civil and Industrial Works of Thanh Hoa; Provincial Military Command; Thanh Hoa City; Quang Xuong and Dong Son districts...

Construction of the Ma River overpass and access road under the project connecting National Highway 1A with National Highway 45 from Hoang Xuan commune (Hoang Hoa) to Thieu Long commune (Thieu Hoa).

In the inspections that the working groups have conducted recently to inspect, urge, remove difficulties and obstacles and promote the disbursement of public investment capital, national target programs and the 2024 socio-economic recovery and development program, many difficulties and challenges in project implementation and disbursement of public investment capital are still being raised and recommended by investors, such as: Many projects have a large volume of site clearance, mainly residential land households, leading to difficulties and many work items arising in the measurement and inventory work; the progress of resettlement areas is still slow, leading to the failure to hand over the site to the construction unit; lack of counterpart funds for projects balancing the budget from land use tax revenue. Along with that, many key projects have encountered difficulties in the work of clearing bombs, mines, explosives to overcome the consequences of post-war bombs and mines; some projects have to relocate structures attached to the land within the scope of the project; Lack of earth materials for construction of traffic works due to the capacity of mines not meeting the demand.

However, under the direction of the Provincial People's Committee, all localities are committed to implementing the project, and are committed to disbursing 100% of the capital this year. Along with focusing on human resources, focusing on propaganda work, creating consensus among the people to facilitate site clearance, investors are also urging contractors to focus on human resources, equipment, supplies, and materials to speed up construction progress in places where clean sites have been handed over; at the same time, coordinating with contractors and supervision consultants to complete procedures, make capital payments for the project when there is a volume of acceptance according to regulations, creating capital for contractors to carry out the next items.

In recent inspections and supervisions, along with praising investors for doing a good job in disbursing public investment capital, with disbursement progress higher than the average of the whole province, provincial leaders also criticized units and investors who have not fulfilled their responsibilities, allowing some key projects to drag on for many years without completion, and at the same time requested relevant units to remove obstacles and take measures to direct contractors to construct and put projects into operation and exploitation soon. Along with that, provincial leaders also requested units and localities to base on the prescribed capital disbursement milestones in 2024 to urgently develop detailed plans for the implementation progress and capital disbursement of projects for each month; as a basis for monitoring, urging, inspecting and supervising the implementation progress and capital disbursement during the year.

Article and photos: Tung Lam