Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of NaturalResources and Environment Tran Hong Ha on June 4 answered queries by deputieson solutions to tackle urban pollution, as part of the National Assembly’songoing fifth session.
Regarding air pollution in big cities, theofficial attributed the problem to transport and construction activities.
According to him, his ministry has advisedthe Prime Minister to issue decisions on a nationwide plan, which pushes forlocal investment and installation of air pollution monitoring systems. Thesystems will help clarify pollution sources and make public the information.
He recommended other measures to theproblem, including reducing fumes from transport and tackling post-harveststraw-burning in areas surrounding big cities.
Concerning river pollution, Minister Hasaid the Government has basically controlled the quality of wastewaterdischarged from factories and industrial zones.
He noted the collection of householdwastewater remains a difficulty, as 95 percent of the wastewater is releaseddirectly into the environment without previous treatment.
He stressed each city needs to holdresponsibility to their own sources of wastewater, and mobilise socialresources to collect and tackle wastewater.
He said a good point is that sources ofwaste disposal and local responsibilities have been identified. Hanoi hascompleted its mechanism encouraging the private involvement in wastewatertreatment, he added.
The minister took the responsibility forweak control of land pollution. He said the matter involves the Ministry ofConstruction, which is in charge of planning, and the Ministry of Science andTechnology overseeing technological issues.
Ha said ministries involved together willask the PM to issue a mixed strategy on waste treatment based on usingtechnologies suitable to the financial condition of each urban area.
According calculation from the Ministry ofNatural Resources and Environment, by 2030, Vietnam must operate waste-fueledpower plants. The waste-to-energy technology is undergone assessment by theMinistry of Science and Technology to ensure its feasibility in Vietnam.-VNA
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