Nghệ An province has temporarily halted several construction and renovation projects for county-level government offices to save budget and comply with directives on organizational restructuring. This decision follows guidance from the Deputy Governor of Nghệ An Province.
Government agencies and departments are required to review and temporarily suspend new investment projects, renovations, and improvements to office buildings. The primary goal is to practice fiscal prudence and prevent waste, particularly given the Politburo’s current study on restructuring the intermediate (county-level) administrative hierarchy.
The Department of Planning and Investment, the Department of Finance, and related agencies will monitor and supervise implementation, providing advice to the Nghệ An People’s Committee to ensure effectiveness.
Affected Projects:
- Đô Lương District Party Committee Office Building: A project valued at over 72.4 billion VND, scheduled to begin in February, was halted on February 25th. The project raises concerns about potential budget waste given the upcoming administrative restructuring.
- Con Cuông District Central Government Complex: This 110 billion VND project, which had completed procedures for implementation and contractor selection but hadn’t yet compensated for land acquisition, has also been paused. It is related to the administrative restructuring of the county.
Reasons and Impacts:
The pause in projects adheres to the Politburo’s directives on restructuring the administrative system. This aims to save public funds, reduce waste in public investment, and align with the goal of streamlining and enhancing the administrative system.
However, the temporary suspension could impact project timelines, costs, and local development plans. Close coordination among relevant agencies is needed to address emerging issues and maintain effective governance.
Conclusion:
The pause on county-level office construction in Nghệ An is a necessary step towards achieving budgetary efficiency and aligning with higher-level directives on organizational restructuring. Rigorous review and monitoring are essential to ensuring the effectiveness of this policy.