VIENTIANE: National Assembly members have urged the government to improve roads, strengthen drug control and ensure that mining and land development projects maximise benefits for the people and the State.
These issues topped the agenda on the second day of the 2nd Ordinary Session of the National Assembly (NA)’s 10th legislature on Tuesday (Oct 6), chaired by NA President Dr Sonexay Siphandone.
Infrastructure was a major concern, with members saying poor roads continue to drive up transport costs and limit productivity in rural areas.
NA member for Bolikhamxay province, Sonethanou Thammavong, said poor roads were among the most pressing problems facing rural and remote communities.
“In rural and remote areas in particular, where travel along the roads is difficult, production has been affected,” he said.
He called for closer coordination between the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and provincial authorities to improve the quality of road planning and construction.
The government’s 2027 development plan places continued emphasis on transport infrastructure, with more road building and upgrades planned.
Other NA members called for the faster repair of national highways, secondary roads and access roads serving remote villages and production areas.
NA member for Attapeu province, Bountheung Douangsavanh, said better access roads to tourist attractions were needed.
He also raised concerns about Route 18B, which links Attapeu with the Phou Keua border crossing with Vietnam. It currently takes two to three hours to drive along the 112-km road and an upgrade is needed, he said.
Drug trafficking was another major concern among Assembly members. Sonethanou said Bolikhamxay was often used as a transit route for drugs transported from northern and other parts of Laos. He urged provincial authorities to strengthen cooperation to prevent drugs from reaching local communities and children.
National Assembly member for Bokeo province, Brigadier General Paenkham Boutchanpheng, also raised concerns about drug trafficking, as well as smuggling and other crimes.
He said the government should consider closing traditional border crossings in Bokeo that are frequently used to bring smuggled goods into the country.
Mining operations were another issue of concern, with lawmakers calling for a clearer national strategy to ensure the country’s mineral resources generate greater value for Laos and that mining operations do not harm the environment.
NA member for Savannakhet province, Dr Akhom Praseuth, said the harm caused by some mining operations to natural resources was greater than the benefits delivered to the State and local communities.
He called for a clear strategy identifying resources that should be controlled or retained as strategic national reserves.
Dr Akhom also urged the government to review mining permits and concession agreements and to use modern management tools to monitor extraction and ensure companies fully meet their tax and other obligations.
“The country should shift from exporting raw materials to processing them domestically,” he added.
He said more domestic processing of minerals would create jobs, increase value, and provide more government revenue. Mining companies should also take full responsibility for tailings, wastewater, pollution and land restoration, rather than leaving the costs to be borne by the State after operations cease.
Dr Akhom said mining should be measured by the value it creates for the nation, rather than simply by the amount of ore extracted.
“People living in project areas should receive benefits through employment, vocational training and infrastructure,” he said.
NA member for Huaphan province, Soiphet Thongsombath, asked the government to consider halting approvals for rare-earth exploration and survey projects. She said some projects had affected people’s livelihoods and the natural environment despite efforts to ensure law compliance.
Issues around education and public services were also raised by National Assembly members.
Member for Xayabouly province, Vanna Phommisone, said 3,744 children had dropped out of school in Xayabouly. She cited the shortage of kindergartens and teachers in remote areas, as well as young people leaving to work abroad, among the main causes.
She called for better support for teachers in remote areas as well as improvements to schools and access roads.
Assembly members also raised concerns about fuel prices, medicine stores, unexploded ordinance clearance, border security, rural development, and the condition of facilities used by border forces.
Debates highlighted the practical challenges the government faces as it prepares its 2027 development agenda, with lawmakers calling for policies that translate targets into visible improvements in roads, schools, public services, livelihoods and environmental protection. - Vientiane Times/ANN
