In-depth
Millions wasted on poverty-reduction projects
  • | nld, dtinews.vn | July 27, 2017 11:30 AM
Despite significant funding to support poor people in Quang Ngai Province, most projects have proved to be ineffective and ill-thought-out.

 

Most Zebu cattle given to local in Son Lien Commune died

Statistics from Quang Ngai Province show that the number of poor and near-poor households account for 22.4% of the total population. 42% of the poor households are in the mountainous areas. Most of them are ethnic minority people.

The state gave over VND6.7trn (USD294m) to Quang Ngai from 2011 to 2015 and nearly VND1trn from 2015 until now. Over VND10bn have been sent to Son Lien Commune in the past years to help locals buy seeds and livestock to fight poverty. However, most of the projects have been ineffective.

The locals were given 22 Zebu cattle that cost VND786m (USD34,500). After two years, two cattle died and the rest get ill because of the weather and lack of food. In 2016, 40 goats that cost VND190m (USD8,300) were given to the people in Son Mua Commune. But not long after, they get sick and died. Only three goats are still alive.

Moreover, hundreds of clean water supply equipment broke just after a short time being put into use.

Quang Ngai Vice Chairman Pham Truong Tho also said it was such a waste when only a handful of projects work. The main cause of the problem is lax management from local authorities who didn't gather public opinions about the projects, he said.

In some cases, the local authorities allocated trees and livestock that are not suitable for the areas. Quang Ngai provincial authorities have ordered to revise all projects.

According to Tay Tra District Vice Chairman Hoang Nhu Lam, another reason is the lack of knowledge about business.

"They won't remember the instructions. They need to be guided step by step. Without the knowledge and ability to do business, they will remain poor even if we pour in tens, hundreds of billions of VND into poverty projects," he said.

For 2016-2020 period, Quang Ngai Province aims to achieve an annual poverty reduction rate of 1.5-2%. A total of VND10.70trn (USD470m) will be spent on poverty projects, of which VND10.18trn are from the state budget, VND381bn from the local budget and VND140bn from other sources.

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