President-elect Chen Shui-bian (
"Because of the presidential election campaign, coordination between the central government and local government was low in its priorities. Reconstruction work was therefore severely delayed," Chen told Nantou County officials yesterday morning during a visit to the region.
Accompanied by several incoming Cabinet members, Chen led a brief inspection of the hard-hit region and expressed concern over a potential disaster at the so-called "barrier lakes" near Chiufenerh Mountain (九份二山).
PHOTO: TONG CHEN-KUO, LIBERTY TIMES
The unstable lakes were formed in valleys which were blocked by crumbling debris in the earthquake. Scientists have said the barriers may collapse, sending walls of water and boulders down the valleys.
Walking through piles of dirt and other debris in the Chiufenerh area yesterday, local residents also held an exercise to simulate rescue operations in the event of a disaster such as that predicted by scientists.
"If necessary, the government will draw up measures to move all [affected] people from dangerous areas to other places," Chen said.
PHOTO: LIN YOU-HWA, LIBERTY TIMES
In addition to the danger posed by the barrier lakes, mountainsides in the area are also unstable and likely to severely erode when the annual rainy season begins, experts have pointed out.
Residents of Nankang village (
Local residents and public representatives have also criticized what they said was the government's failure to pay attention to their proposals for reconstruction, such as improving protective reinforcement work on hillside land, and dredging the barrier lakes.
"We hope the central government will take the responsibility for overall planning on such work," said DPP legislator Tsai Huang-lan (
Chen promised to speed up reconstruction efforts, and assigned Vice Premier-designate Yu Shyi-kun to improve coordination between the various governmental departments involved.
Chen said completing reconstruction work will be a priority of the new government. Chen has repeatedly said since the presidential election that the new Cabinet would solve all problems regarding reconstruction plans within one year.
"If we can reach that goal, we still can complete all work within my four-year term," Chen told Nantou County residents.
Three designated Ministers without portfolio -- Huang Jong-tsun (
In addition, incoming government officials reached a consensus on Sunday, during a two-day orientation session, that a timetable for a complete proposal for post-quake reconstruction will be discussed at the new Cabinet's first meeting next week.
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