Transport, Home Affairs Ministers questioned at NA session

Minister Thang said the transport sector was restructuring many areas to increase labor productivity and reduce costs. The proportion of road transportation has decreased while that of waterway and railway transportation has increased in recent years. He talked about building transport facilities to serve economic development

"The Party Central Committee, the NA and the government have instructed the Ministry of Transport to develop modern facilities as a driving force to boost national socio-economic development. We have proposed many policies and mechanisms to mobilize social capital and funding from businesses, individuals, and domestic and foreign investors in transport infrastructure development. Over three years, we have mobilized US$8 billion." Thang said.

Thang said the Prime Minister had agreed with his ministry’s proposal to build 7,811 bridges worth a total of US$ 100 million in 50 provinces nationwide. The government had allowed investment to be made in the construction of 186 bridges, which would be completed by June next year.

Concerning anti-corruption in the transport sector, Minister Thang said the ministry had devised a number of anti-corruption measures, clarified the responsibilities of those involved in investment activities, seriously punished regulation violators, and improved personnel work. Minister Thang will continue to answer deputies’ questions on Wednesday. He will be followed by Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen.

The same day, NA deputies questioned Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Thai Binh about civil service downsizing plans, redundant deputy heads in state organizations, and recruiting talented people to state agencies. Minister Nguyen Thai Binh said a national project is being set up to address inappropriate promotion within government agencies, and that more will be done to attract talented people to work for the government.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs has been assigned by the Politburo to draft a proposal to train outstanding graduates. It aims to recruit 1000 outstanding students and young scientists to work in Party and State agencies by 2020. The proposal will be submitted for the Prime Minister’s approval as soon as possible. A Decree offering incentives to get talented people to work for the government is also being written. Strong measures will be taken to dismiss unqualified staff." Binh said.

Minister Binh said his ministry has organized workshops nationwide on the first ever national project on job descriptions in state agencies at all levels. 24 local governments and a number of central agencies have already fulfilled the project which is scheduled to be completed by next June by at least 70% of state agencies and organizations.

Concerning civil service downsizing plans, he said, "The Prime Minister will issue a new Decree to replace Decree 132 with new regulations to support civil service downsizing plans for state agencies and local governments. This new decree is set to be applied by early next year. We acknowledge that these schemes should be carried out at every level, not just at the central and district level, as stated by the Politburo before, so we are finalizing the plans for consideration at the upcoming Party Central Committee Plenum. Once approved, they will be institutionalized and put into practice."