Illegal dumping of waste continues to plague the Hue University development zone, located in the Trường Bia area, An Cựu Ward, Thuận Hóa District, Hue City. This ongoing problem has sparked public frustration and concern.
Observations by reporters indicate a worsening situation of illegal dumping along internal roads behind the Foreign Language University, student dormitories, and the Hue University of Economics library. Construction debris, household waste, and even furniture, remnants, and religious items are strewn across the area, severely contaminating the environment.
Local residents report that dumping often occurs during quiet times, such as midday or late at night. Dumpers sometimes employ lookouts to monitor for garbage collection trucks, making detection and enforcement difficult. This not only creates a polluting and malodorous environment impacting residents and students but also fosters conditions conducive to disease outbreaks.
Mr. T., a local resident near the affected area, recounts instances where he witnessed and confronted illegal dumping, only to be threatened and intimidated, thus deterring further intervention. This underscores the serious and complex nature of the problem, as fear of retaliation prevents citizens from protecting their living environment.
In a discussion with the press, Mr. Huỳnh Văn Quốc Thái, a local official from the An Cựu Ward’s Land Administration and Construction department, stated that the university previously had a contract for joint inspections and illegal dumping prevention, but this contract has expired. This reveals a lack of coordinated efforts between relevant parties in addressing the waste issue.
A Hue University representative explained that because the development zone is still incomplete with many unpaved access roads, some people are capitalizing on the situation to dump waste. The university lacks the authority to handle administrative offenses, and they have urged relevant authorities to increase monitoring and strictly penalize offenders.
The Hue University development zone in Trường Bia, covering 135 hectares, was approved by the Prime Minister in 1998 and is slated for two phases of development. The project aims to construct a modern university complex encompassing learning, research, dormitory, green spaces, and sports facilities for an estimated 30,000 full-time students.
However, after 27 years, substantial areas remain undeveloped, overgrown with vegetation, and some residents have yet to be relocated. This situation not only delays the project but also facilitates illegal activities, undermining security and causing environmental damage.
To permanently resolve the illegal dumping problem at the Hue University development zone, a concerted and decisive effort from local authorities, relevant agencies, and the wider community is essential. Increased public awareness campaigns, stronger enforcement measures, and close collaboration between the university and associated parties are necessary to create a cleaner, more sustainable, and more appealing Hue City.
