What does the Ministry of Transport say about the “confusion” of BOT on the main national highway connecting Dong Nai with Ba Ria – Vung Tau?

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has just responded to the petition of voters in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province about BVEC Company refusing to hand over assets to establish state ownership of BOT project assets. Highway 51.

Highway 51 has stopped collecting tolls but the BOT station cannot be dismantled

According to the petition of voters in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province, the BOT project of National Highway 51, section Km0+900 – Km73+600 in the two provinces of Dong Nai and Ba Ria – Vung Tau, has stopped collecting tolls since January 13, 2019. 2023.

However, up to now, the investor, BVEC Company, has refused to hand over assets to establish State ownership of the National Highway 51 BOT project assets.

Regarding this issue, the Ministry of Transport said that on December 29, 2023, the Ministry of Transport issued a written report to Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on the handling of proposals from Investors of the National Highway 51 Expansion Construction Project. section from Km0+900 to Km 73+600 under BOT contract form.

In a document dated February 7, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha directed “The Ministry of Transport continues to handle investors’ petitions according to its functions, tasks and signed contracts. The Ministry of Transport reports the results of handling according to its authority.

Up to now, the Department of Roads of Vietnam, with the task of being the agency to sign and implement BOT contracts, continues to patiently negotiate with BVEC, soon reporting to the Ministry of Finance to complete procedures for public ownership of infrastructure. investment in the form of BOT according to regulations.

According to research, the National Highway 51 BOT project (section from Km0+900 to Km73+600) has a length of 72.7 km, passing through the two provinces of Dong Nai and Ba Ria – Vung Tau with a total investment approved. 3,970 billion VND. The project was put into operation in April 2013.

According to the contract between the Vietnam Road Administration and the investor in 2009, the total toll collection time for the National Highway 51 expansion investment project is about 20 years, of which, toll collection pays back about 16 years, and toll collection creates profits. 4 years of profit, total until March 2033.

The project does not collect fees from January 13, 2023 because the vehicle traffic exceeds the original estimate many times, the actual toll collection is larger than the calculation, so the contract is terminated ahead of schedule.

However, BVEC Company later sent a document to the Prime Minister to propose removing obstacles and administrative measures that caused damage to investors of the National Highway 51 BOT Project.

Specifically, this enterprise said that the unilateral imposition of the Vietnam Road Administration to reduce the profit-making time and force the temporary suspension of toll collection has made the project enterprise unable to pay its construction investment debts.

Voters in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province also proposed that the Ministry of Transport soon repair and upgrade many damaged and seriously degraded sections of National Highway 51.

The Ministry of Transport said that it has approved the 2024 Road System Maintenance Plan, which includes funding for regular maintenance of Highway 51 (with dredging and dredging of sewers; additional paint lines; …); Handling black spots and making unexpected repairs to severely damaged areas to ensure safety.

Currently, regular maintenance work has been implemented by the road management agency according to regulations; The formed black spots and unexpected damage locations have been completed.