The inspection will cover all implementation phases of the project.
Mr. The has authorized the ministry’s chief inspector to approve inspection plan and extend inspection time.
The inspection decision has been made after experts blamed the expressway's damage for unsuitable design and construction.
According to them, Investor VEC has loosened management, the work's inspection and contractor’s ability fail to meet requirements, consultancy and supervision is weak and there are questions about rake-off on materials and auction sale.
EVC said that implementing the Transport Minister’s requirement, it was urgently repairing damage in Da Nang-Quang Ngai Expressway and reviewed responsibilities of relevant teams and individuals. Review results will be reported to the ministry on October 19.
On the same day, deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung presided over a meeting on the settlement of damage in Da Nang-Quang Ngai Expressway.
Reports by the Ministry of Transport say that Da Nang-Quang Ngai Expressway has the total length of 139,204 kilometers built through Da Nang City and Quang Ngai and Quang Nam provinces.
The project has been implemented by Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) using official development assistance (ODA) funds from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the World Bank.
The project was open to traffic in September and some potholes have been spotted since the end of the month. VEC and relevant sides have not tackled the issue in a timely manner so damaged spots have expanded.
Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung said that the project is an important work in eastern North-South Expressway, contributing in socioeconomic development, as well as national defense and security and improving the competitive ability of the central region, reducing pressure for National Highway 1A to ease traffic jam and accident.
However the expressway has been damaged one month after being opened to traffic so Mr. Dung strictly criticized investors and contractors for not to supervise and tackle the issue.
He required the ministry to coordinate with relevant sides to make clear reasons for the damage, have measures to thoroughly and fast repair it and ensure technical requirements and safety for vehicles traveling through the damaged spots.
In addition, he wanted to clarify responsibilities of individuals and teams related to the damage, strictly handle them according to the law and report to the Prime Minister.
Da Nang-Quang Ngai expressway is still within warranty period so contractors are responsible for repairing the damage.
Mr. Dung asked the Ministry of Transport to work with the investor to require relevant sides and contractors to regularly supervise the project’s exploitation to spot and handle damage right from the start to ensure safe and smooth traffic.
In the next couple of days, the ministry should continue sending delegations to inspect and estimate the ongoing repair of damaged spots and clarify responsibilities of related ones.
