Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspects Cai Lon sluice project. Photo: VNA

The 144 million USD project is connected with the road transport infrastructure and the West Sea dike, helping prevent natural disasters, combat sea level rise, mitigate inundation, lessen damage caused by drought and salinity intrusion in the dry season, and boost production and socio-economic development in the region.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Chinh said the Mekong Delta is one of the regions most affected by global climate change. The Government determines that socio-economic development in the Mekong Delta and the agricultural sector in particular must be combined with the development of irrigation, he said, adding that irrigation must be considered as the focus to solve the remaining problems of water resources.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to develop a reasonable irrigation investment strategy. He said he believes that the Mekong Delta will enter a new development period with breakthroughs and will definitely become a land of rapid development and prosperity.