Pakngum residents voice concerns to Vientiane People’s Council, National Assembly members

Residents of Non, Thakokhai, Makhiew, and Nongvangpherng villages in Pakngum district, Vientiane, last week met members of the National Assembly and Vientiane People’s Council to inform them of troubling issues that required solutions.
People living in Non village raised the issue of the lack of irrigation and enquired about land tax exemption for people affected by water shortages and flooding, saying they should not be required to pay land tax in these circumstances.

The people of Thakokhai village wanted an investigation into foreign-owned businesses’ operation of banana, watermelon and jackfruit farms, and requested the construction of irrigation channels for their farmland.
Makhiew village residents complained about dirty water in the Makhiew stream, the slow issuance of land titles, and drug abuse. The people of Nongvangpherng village also wanted to discuss land tax exemption and the problem of drug abuse.
Earlier last month, the people of Nongkhaen, Donesangphai, Nongkhiet and Pakngum villages voiced concerns about drug abuse, lack of irrigation, poor standard of education, inadequate roads, and the questionable operation of a banana farm.
National Assembly and Vientiane People’s Council members acknowledged the issues raised and said they would seek responses.
Members of the two bodies met with residents of Pakngum district from February 18-25 to pass on the outcomes of past meetings and inform people of the successes achieved.

By Viengdavanh Banphahaksa
(Latest Update March 3, 2020)