Agencies will strictly penalize enterprises for infringing on environmental regulations to prevent widespread pollution and to save the heavily polluted Dong Nai River, Bui Cach Tuyen, head of the Vietnam Environmental Administration has told Sai Gon Giai Phong.
He said at present, more enterprises are conforming to the Law on Environmental Protection since awareness about environmental issues has been raised. They have also invested more in environmental protection activities, said Mr. Tuyen.
While the number of violating businesses has decreased gradually in recent years, there are still a large number of enterprises severely polluting the environment, Mr. Tuyen added.
Penalties in the past were so minor that they failed to deter companies from violating regulations. Moreover, it was cheaper to pay penalties than to invest in environmental protection technology.
According to a new decree, polluting enterprises will be fined VND500 million (US$26,300) per infraction while the old fine was just VND70 million (US$3,700).
In addition to administrative penalties, environmental violators risk having their operations halted temporarily or permanently until they implement measures to curb pollution, or move their facilities away from residential areas.
Under the new decree, environmental inspectors also have the jurisdiction to withdraw enterprises’ certificates or licenses related to environmental protection.
Mr. Tuyen said his administration would conduct environmental inspections, especially at polluting plants, along the Dong Nai River this year.
The river runs through 12 provinces and cities. Therefore, all localities near the river must cooperate closely to protect it, he said.
Mr. Tuyen added that the localities must investigate and pinpoint liquid waste sources that pollute the stretch of river running through their areas.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will formulate a general plan on environmental protection for the entire river valley and introduce measures to manage and overcome pollution in the area.
