Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Oct.30 (VNA) -- President Tran Duc Luong has said that the Party and State of Viet Nam are always concerned about the efficiency and effectiveness of the national flood control programme in the Mekong River Delta, stressing that "The programme is part of the Government's active effort to harness and control seasonal flooding in the region."

The President made the comment while meeting with key leaders of southern Long An province during his two-day tour of the province from Oct.29 to inspect the efficiency of major measures being carried out in the flood control programme and the project to help the people in the delta stabilize their daily life during the flooding season.

President Luong praised the results obtained by locals in the implementation of the programme last year and said "This year saw adverse weather and natural disasters that have caused great losses to the Mekong Delta, the country's biggest rice producer."

"Experiences should be drawn from the implementation of the flood control programme and the project to help locals ensure safety and stability in seasonal flooding this year in order to seek more reasonable and feasible solutions to overcome floods in the future," Luong told the provincial officials.

He called on scientists, planners, and developers to continue studying the construction of water drainage systems, roads, bridges. and culverts suitable to each province and area in the Delta in order to preserve the ecological environment and ensure a normal life for the locals as well as to conform to the natural flow of floodwaters.

President Luong also visited many flood victims to express the Party and Government's sympathy to them and hope that they will be able to stabilise their production and life immediately after the floodwaters recede. He asked the provincial authorities, relevant ministries, and localities to help flood victims by providing such crucial things as healthcare, plant seeds, fertilizer, raw materials, and production equipment.--VNA