Facing difficulties in collecting road and sidewalk fees, Ho Chi Minh City asks ministries for guidance

Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, has just signed a document to the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance requesting guidance on methods and establishing an exploitation plan when collecting fees for temporary use of roadways and sidewalks belonging to road traffic infrastructure assets.

The People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City said that the locality is currently implementing the collection of temporary road and sidewalk usage fees according to Resolution No. 15 of the City People's Council. In the process of implementing and studying the regulations, Ho Chi Minh City has encountered some difficulties.

Gặp vướng khi thu phí lòng đường, hè phố, TPHCM nhờ các bộ hướng dẫn - 1 — Ho Chi Minh City is implementing the collection of temporary road and sidewalk usage fees (Photo: Nam Anh).

Specifically, roads and sidewalks are part of the road infrastructure assets. However, the method of temporary exploitation and use of roads and sidewalks has not been regulated in the Law on Public Asset Management and Decree No. 33 of the Government .

The subjects requesting for temporary exploitation and use licenses for roadways and sidewalks are mainly individuals and households. So, does the unit assigned to manage the roadways and sidewalks have to prepare an exploitation plan and submit it to the competent authority for approval before granting licenses and collecting fees for temporary use of the roadways and sidewalks?

The People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City cited the provisions in Decree 33 of the Government regulating the management, use and exploitation of road infrastructure assets. The agency assigned to manage road infrastructure assets directly organizes the exploitation of assets; leases the right to exploit road infrastructure assets; and transfers the right to exploit road infrastructure assets for a limited period.

In case it is necessary to exploit road traffic infrastructure assets in a way other than prescribed, the Ministry of Transport shall preside over and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies to prepare a project to exploit road traffic infrastructure assets and submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

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