The Prime Minister directed the inspection to clarify the exploitation and supply of materials for highway projects.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a conference on the implementation of expressway projects in the Mekong Delta region.

Also attending the conference were Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, leaders of ministries and localities of the Mekong Delta region.

According to a report from the Ministry of Construction, the Mekong Delta region is currently implementing 11 projects and expressway component projects with a total length of 434.7km. Of which, the Ministry of Construction is in charge of 5 expressway projects (211.17km long) including: Can Tho - Hau Giang - Ca Mau (110.87km, reaching 75% output value), Cao Lanh - Lo Te (28.8km, reaching 92%), Lo Te - Rach Soi (51.5km, reaching 99%), My An - Cao Lanh (26.6km long, just started construction in August 2025, reaching 46.8%).

Localities in charge of 6 expressway projects (total length 216.93km): Cao Lanh - An Huu includes component project 1 (16km long, 68%) and component project 2 (11.43km long, 53.4%) managed by Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee; Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang includes component project 1 (57km long, 62%) managed by An Giang Provincial People's Committee and component projects 2, 3, 4 (132.5km long, 45%) managed by Can Tho City People's Committee.

Deputy Minister of Construction Pham Minh Ha reports at the conference

According to the Ministry of Construction, the sand materials for embankment in localities have been licensed to exploit 63.1 million ^m3 of the total demand of the expressway projects in the region of 54.2 million ^m3 . However, due to the fact that some mines have been licensed to exploit, the exploitation progress has not met the implementation needs of the projects. Regarding embankment materials, the total demand of the projects is 8.6 million ^m3 , the source of 5.5 million ^m3 has been identified, the source of 3.1 million ^m3 has not been identified. For stone materials, the total demand is 8.6 million ^m3 , the source of 5.5 million ^m3 has been identified, the source of 3.1 million ^m3 has not been identified.

Chau Doc – Can Tho – Soc Trang Expressway lacks 11 million cubic meters ^of sand, affecting the project's loading work.

In fact, most of the difficulties and obstacles affecting the progress of expressway projects in the Mekong Delta come from the lack of sand and stone materials. In particular, the Chau Doc – Can Tho – Soc Trang Expressway component projects 2, 3, and 4 are still short of about 11 million ^m3 of sand.

There are many reasons leading to the above situation such as: sand exploitation capacity at mines is quite slow, not meeting the loading progress of projects; replacing sea sand to reduce pressure on river sand has not been applied by localities; stone sources from mines in Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City are being supplied to many other key projects, so the supply to the Mekong Delta is very limited, mainly still depending on mines in An Giang; technical solutions to shorten loading time have not been applied, mainly still using conventional loading methods...

Faced with this situation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested units and localities to clarify why there is enough sand, even in excess, but there is still a shortage, affecting the progress of projects. Is there collusion and pressure among contractors to "fix prices"? Sand is determined to be sufficient, but why do we have to buy sand from other places? Why do we have to buy expensive sand when it is not cheap? Why is there a lot of sea sand but the quality is not used? Is there localism and negativity to collude and profit?...

The Prime Minister said he would direct the inspectors and police to investigate and clarify a number of issues related to the supply and exploitation of material mines in some localities. From there, he would resolutely and strictly handle acts of hoarding, price gouging, market manipulation, and other violations of the law for the purpose of collusion and profiteering. The Prime Minister emphasized that currently, mechanisms, policies, and finances are not entangled, what remains is for the relevant subjects to promote patriotism, the responsibility of party members, and their heart for the people to take drastic action.

img-1954-8073.jpg.jpeg — The Prime Minister questioned why there is so much sea sand but the quality is not used?

The Prime Minister requested that the Secretaries and Chairmen of localities pay attention to flexibly implementing the licensing of raw material mines; increase the capacity of sand and stone mining in accordance with the progress requirements of the project; make every effort to encourage, urge, inspect and thoroughly handle arising problems and difficulties, ensuring that there is no shortage of common materials for expressway projects; pay attention to environmental issues such as landslides and subsidence during the exploitation process; promote progress in parallel with ensuring the safety and quality of the project; take care of the lives and livelihoods of people when they have to relocate and give up land for the project...

Regarding ministries and branches, the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Construction to continue to urge and direct investors and contractors to mobilize full financial resources, human resources, equipment, and organize construction in "3 shifts and 4 shifts"; strictly handle contractors who are behind schedule according to contract regulations, ensuring the completion of the main route of the Can Tho - Ca Mau project before December 19, 2025. The Ministry of National Defense directed relevant units to mobilize human resources and equipment, speed up investment in the expressway project; and support Can Tho with human resources and materials to exploit sea sand.

TUAN QUANG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/thu-tuong-chi-dao-thanh-tra-lam-ro-hoat-dong-khai-thac-cung-cap-vat-lieu-cho-cac-du-an-cao-toc-post818910.html