Tuan emphasized the “six clears” principle: clear assignment of people, tasks, timelines, responsibilities, deliverables and authority- stressing that decentralization between provincial and commune levels must enhance initiative, creativity, and accountability.
Progress after administrative merger
Reports at the session showed that since the establishment of the new administrative unit more than two months ago, the four communes have achieved initial gains in socio-economic development, defense, security, and organizational structure.
In An Vinh, the Party Committee set 30 socio-economic targets, with 25 already completed.
However, five goals remain unmet due to limited resources. For instance, a target to attract one new investment project has yet to be fulfilled, despite promotional efforts.
Meanwhile, An Hoa has made strides in digital governance. Its Public Administrative Service Center processed 1,446 documents between July 1 and September 16, achieving a 91.63-point rating on the national public service portal index, ranking 9th out of 135 communes and wards in the province.
Persistent poverty and infrastructure challenges
Despite these advances, poverty remains widespread. An Hoa reports 524 poor households (12.2%), An Lao 241 (7.4%), An Vinh 222 (12.44%), and An Toan 203 (41.8%).
"Although the district level no longer exists and the communes have been merged, An Hòa, An Lão, An Vinh, and An Toàn must function as a unified bloc, with solidarity as the guiding principle, An Lão as the political center, and An Hòa as the economic center to support the other two communes." - Chairman of the provincial People's Committee PHẠM ANH TUẤN.
Infrastructure shortcomings also hinder development. The DH03 road from An Hoa to An Toan is severely degraded, making travel difficult. Additionally, 31 officials recently assigned to An Toan lack housing and are living in their offices.
Local leaders have requested investment in upgrading road DT 629, building a resettlement area in An Vinh’s Hamlet 5 due to landslide risks, and adjusting administrative boundaries between An Vinh and An Lao.
Call for decisive governance and poverty reduction
Concluding the session, Tuan urged local leaders to finalize development plans aligned with national defense and security, strengthen forest and environmental management, and ensure 100% disbursement of allocated funds.
He stressed the need for effective poverty reduction, directing communes to categorize poor households, design targeted support measures, and create livelihoods through community projects linked to national socio-economic programs.
“Local authorities must be proactive and decisive in their poverty reduction mandate. Governance must be close to the people, with transparent, efficient administrative services for residents and businesses,” Tuan said.
Prior to the working session, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Phạm Anh Tuấn conducted field inspections of several projects, facilities, and offices in the four communes of An Hòa, An Lão, An Vinh, and An Toàn.
Phạm Anh Tuấn reminded localities to make effective use of facilities after the merger, and to ensure that projects leverage local development potential while creating local jobs and sustainable livelihoods to improve residents' quality of life.