Vientiane provincial capital takes shape despite budget constraints
Despite a funding shortfall that could run into hundreds of billions of kip, construction of the new Vientiane provincial capital is making progress a senior provincial official said yesterday.
The offices of the provincial Prosecutor and provincial National Assembly have been built and several state organisations are preparing land to build offices. Six roads within the 8,000-hectare area are also currently under construction, Deputy Head of the Secretariat of Vientiane provincial capital Construction and Development, Mr Khampeng Phandara, told the Vientiane Times yesterday.
Work on the Nam Ngum Bridge connecting Pakkhayoung and Meuangkao villages in Viengkham district is also progressing.
The project, begun two years ago, has recorded moderate progress and is set to be completed by 2020 providing the necessary funding is available.
The central government provided a budget of nine billion kip for the 2010-2011 fiscal year and 12 billion kip this fiscal year.
“Funding is currently being provided by the government but is still far short of what we need,” Mr Khampeng said.
Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, who oversees economic affairs, raised the issue of funding with local officials when he visited Vientiane province on Wednesday.
“The Deputy Prime Minister pledged that he will push for the relevant agencies to hold talks in order to obtain funding,” Mr Khampeng said, adding that details have not been revealed.
Although plans have been completed for the entire 8,000 hectare development, a Japanese company is now conducting a survey on 1,700 hectares with a view to building an environmentally friendly town. The results of the company's survey are expected shortly.
Upon completion of the project, the current provincial Administrative Office will be relocated to a new site three kilometres away in the same district.
Officials agree that the relocation meets the province's growing development needs because, unlike the old site, there will be ample space to expand buildings and facilities.
Mr Khampeng said the government had acknowledged the need to build a capital for Vientiane province, as one has never existed.
