Ho Chi Minh city orders polluters moving out of the city center

15/09/2015

     The Deputy Chairman of the HCM City People's Committee Tat Thanh Cang has said that all polluting companies must be moved out of the centre city by year-end, and that no deadline extensions would be granted.      Mr Tat Thanh Cang, speaking at a meeting recently in the city, said: "They can move to industrial parks, or change their business into clean production or just stop operation. There will be no more delays or concessions for such enterprises" he added.      Seven seriously polluted enterprises, including Viet Huong Hai Fish Source, Binh Trieu Shipyard, Gia Dinh - Phong Phu Garment and Textile, Sai Gon Textile, Petrolimex Shipyard, Thang Long Paper and Wrapping, and Ha Tien Cement must be moved under the Prime Minister's Decision, along with 24 newly emerging polluted companies in districts 12 and Cu Chi.      The Viet Huong Hai Fish Source plant planned to move to Tay Ninh Province–based Trang Bang Industrial Park, but the Company cannot meet waste water treatment standards. The Thu Duc-based Ha Tien Cement plant has asked authorities to move to Phu Huu Ward in District 9 as the company has purchased a grinding mill. But local authorities rejected the plan because the mill is polluting.      Deputy Chairman Tat Thanh Cang said Ha Tien Cement plant must submit a plan to move or to stop operation by December 31. To speed up the transfer, the City People's Committee has approved the establishment of a Movement Steering Committee.      Under the Steering Committee, polluting enterprises in residential areas will be moved under the management of the Natural Resources and Environmental Department, while the Industry and Trade Department will be responsible for other cases. Lê Chính