Facing persistently sluggish disbursement across a number of public investment projects, which is affecting infrastructure development and socio-economic growth targets, the Dak Lak Provincial People’s Committee is intensifying efforts to remove bottlenecks, particularly in site clearance, in order to accelerate construction progress and capital disbursement, creating momentum for development in the coming period.

According to the provincial Project Management Board for Transport, Agricultural and Rural Development Works, in 2025 the unit was allocated a capital plan of more than 4.432 trillion VND. However, by mid-January 2026, disbursement had reached only about 57.5% of the allocated total. Although the rate is expected to rise to over 70% by the end of January 2026, the outcome still falls short of requirements.

Component Project 3 of the Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot Expressway Project, Phase 1, accelerating construction progress.

Mr. Tran Tien Dong, the Board Director, said the primary cause of delayed construction progress and capital disbursement lies in prolonged obstacles in compensation and site clearance.

In addition, adverse weather conditions, including prolonged rainfall, multiple episodes of heavy rain and strong storms, together with shortages of construction materials, particularly sand and fill materials, have forced interruptions to many construction items, preventing implementation in line with approved schedules.

For several other projects, difficulties extend beyond site clearance to include capital allocation, adjustments to total investment levels, and contractor selection procedures. Some projects have had revised total investment approved but have yet to receive sufficient capital allocations, leaving them ineligible to roll out subsequent bidding packages and thereby affecting overall progress.

Decisive direction with clearly assigned accountability

In response, the Provincial People’s Committee has stepped up on-site inspections and direct working sessions with investors and local authorities to promptly identify and resolve obstacles during project implementation. During inspections, Vice Chairman PPC Truong Cong Thai openly criticised units and localities that have shown a lack of proactiveness, particularly in site clearance, thereby undermining public investment disbursement and project timelines.

Provincial People’s Committee Vice Chairman Truong Cong Thai urging investors and relevant units to resolutely remove bottlenecks and accelerate implementation of transport projects across the province.

He instructed investors and local authorities to strengthen close coordination and apply legal provisions flexibly; to hand over cleared sites to contractors at the earliest possible time; and to set specific deadlines for each task and project.

Units and localities that fail to fulfil assigned tasks or allow prolonged delays will be held accountable in accordance with regulations. For projects directly affecting residential land and housing, provincial leaders stressed the need to prioritise on-the-spot resettlement, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of residents and thereby building broad consensus during project implementation.

Simultaneously, the Provincial People’s Committee assigned the Department of Finance to review and advise on appropriate capital allocation and reallocation solutions, ensuring sufficient resources for eligible projects to proceed and disburse capital in line with committed schedules.

Translated by KHUONG THAO