Formosa’s activities be closely monitored

• Formosa tours opposed by locals
• Formosa’s illegally dumped waste contains toxic substances: ministry
• Formosa to improve waste treatment capacity

According to Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha, in 2016, the natural resources have effectively been mobilized for national socio-economic development, of which, the land revenue has contributed 8.25% to the State Budget and the mineral revenue has reached over VND 5.5 trillion.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung addressing the working session

However, climate change has triggered extreme weather phenomena in Vietnam, such as severe cold spells in northern provinces; prolonged droughts in the Central Highlands and Southern Center; repeated floods in central provinces.

In particular, the Formosa-made environmental incidents caused badly damages to the maritime environment and big losses to people in 4 central provinces, negatively affecting security and social order and socio-economic development of the country.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment speaking at the meeting

He also admitted that the ministry is facing many challenges in managing and using resources effectively, and curbing  environmental pollution on the rise.

Speaking at the conference, the Deputy Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to improve the quality of its assessment of environmental impact reports from investment projects. The assessment should be strictly conducted with the participation of international and domestic scientists.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung talking with representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung underlined that the Government allow only the projects meeting the environmental standards. All completed projects must have qualified waste disposal systems.

Regarding the Formosa’s incidents, he asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to closely control its production technology and its waste treatment systems.