Half-done dyke project poses harm to Ca Mau Cape                                    A dyke project to protect Ca Mau Cape has been halted due to lack of capital, which is causing more erosion and huge waste to the state budget.    Scattered concrete pillars For over three months, the concrete pillars that worth more than VND100 billion (USD4.8 million) are left idle under water. Chau Quoc Khai, head of Tan Phat Company, the contractor that work on the last 2,000 metres of the dyke project said, "Our company is having troubles and the banks are tightening their lending policies. We've completed 60% of the project but the investor only paid us 40% so I decided to halt the project." In a similar situation, Quang Tien Company has also halted its work on 700 metres of the dyke for months because the Ca Mau People's Committee is still unable to pay for their work. Deputy head of the local Department of Agriculture and Rural Development To Quoc Nam said, "We know that a half-done project is not only unable to protect the Ca Mau Cape but also easily swept away by strong waves. We've reported the situation to the higher government but the problem remains unsolved. We can only continue to send reports and ask for more capital." According to Nam the dyke project was approved after the scientists gave out warnings in 2011 that Ca Mau Cape could disappear under severe impacts from climate changes. The government then gave a initial support of VND100 billion and said they would disburse more in the future to protect the cape and its historical sites. Ca Mau Province had gathered VND20 billion to continue the project after that but they still need VND100 billion more to complete it. But this half-done project may cause more harm to the cape. "Those scattered concrete pillars and high tides will quicken the erosion process, especially in the coming time when tide rises at highest level." Tam Bi, a local lives near the project said. Source: PLHCM, dtinews.vn