On Thursday, Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh met with Van Duong 1 and 2 villagers in Hoa Vang District who had previously expressed their annoyance about environmental pollution caused by the Dana-Italy and Dana-Australia Steel companies.

Vice Chairman Minh at the meeting

At the meeting, representatives from the companies apologised to the villagers for the damage they had caused.  They also suggested that the local authorities should develop detailed plans to relocate either their manufacturing plants or nearby residents. 

In the end, Vice Chairman Minh urged the 2 steel companies to temporarily suspend their operations.  An environment observation unit will be chosen to assess the negative impacts on the local environment from the operation of these companies.  The results should then be widely publicised amongst the villagers.  If the companies meet the city’s environmental requirements, they can continue to operate their businesses.  If not, their operations will continue to be suspended.

The Department will, in the 1^st quarter of next year, develop 2 long-term relocation options for affected families and the 2 companies.  The Department will then collect opinions about these options from local residents in April 2017.    

The authorities of Hoa Lien Commune and Hoa Vang District will remove the steel waste discharged by the companies, and the companies will bear the clearance costs.

Over the past decade, the Dana-Italy and Dana-Australia Steel companies have caused environmental pollution, especially air and noise pollution, in the Van Duong 1 and 2 villages.  This has negatively affected the health of the villagers.