Development of some cities in border areas has been on a par with that of plain region
Vice-Senior General Maung Aye inspects development tasks in Pyapon, Kyaiklat, Dedaye, Kungyangon

YANGON, 2 Aug - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, accompanied by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win, members of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than, Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein and Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min and Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myat Hein, Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Htay Oo, ministers, deputy ministers, the director-general of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departmental heads, arrived in Ohnbin Village, Dedaye Township, by helicopter from Hinthada at 4 pm on 30 July.

They were welcomed there by Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Myint Thein, Command Staff Colonel Col Tint Swe of South-West Command and local authorities.

On arrival at the site for construction of Pyapon River Bridge Project, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun reported to Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party on choice of the site for the bridge, starting of the construction works on 2 April 2003, progress of construction works and arrangements being made for timely completion of the bridge. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye gave necessary instructions and inspected the map showing the location of the bridge and the construction site.

Next, they arrived at Pyapon where they inspected construction of the approach structure of Pyapon Bridge on Pyapon Bank. Pyapon Bridge will link Ward 1 in Pyapon and Ohnbin Village in Dedaye Township. The bridge will be of steel frame and it will be 3,832 feet and six inches long and the motor-way will be 28 feet wide. On completion, local people can travel to Yangon through Bogale-Pyapon and Kyaiklat-Pyapon Road in connection with Dedaye-Kungyangon-Dalla Road via Pyapon Bridge.

On 31 July morning, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party attended the ceremony to donate rice to members of the Sangha in Pyapon and Pariyatti Monasteries at Yadana Theikdi Sasana Beikman. Chairman of Pyapon Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Saddhammajotika-dhaja Minkyaung Sayadaw and members of the Sangha, officials and local people attended the ceremony. Minkyaung Sayadaw Bhad-danta Visuta administered the Five Precepts.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye donated eight requisites and rice to the Chairman Sayadaw. Next, the Secretary-2 and party donated eight requisites to the members of the Sangha. Member of State Central Working Committee of the Sangha Htanbin Kyaung Pariyatti Sarthintaik Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw Maha Ganthavaçaka Pandita Bhaddanta Vepulla delivered a sermon. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party shared merits gained. After the ceremony, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party met with local authorities of Pyapon District, Pyapon and Bogale townships, departmental personnel and local people at Thiri Annawa Hall in the township.

Chairman of Pyapon District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Myo Myint reported on economic development of the district, per capita income, cultivation matter, breeding of fish and prawn, industrial sector, rural development tasks being undertaken education, health and transportation matters.

Next, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha explained systematic implementation of short- and long-term plans for development of the State and prospects of Pyapon District in economic development.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Soe Win said that Pyapon District will make more and more progress with the emergence of new roads and bridges. Similarly, due to harmonious cooperation of the State, the Tatmadaw and the people, the State including Ayeyawady Division gains sustainable development in all the sectors.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye cordially conversed with those present. Next, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye delivered an address.

He said that upholding Our Three Main National Causes, as national concern, all the people are to defend and safeguard the Union. In the process, the three development plans are being implemented for ensuring equitable development among the regions of the nation. He added that consequently the development of some cities in border areas has been on a par with that of the plain region.

Rural and urban areas have harmoniously developed State and Division-wise, and the people are leading a peaceful life, he noted. In the past, Pyapon, Bogalay and Kyaiklat regions lacked peace and stability. But, now, local residents of those regions have enjoyed fruitful results of peace and tranquillity. Previously, Pyapon District was difficult of access by land. Now, people can travel from Pyapon to Yangon City or Pathein by car in a short time.

With such better transport, the development momentum of the region's economic and social sectors is gaining. The officials concerned are thus to make concerted efforts effectively and thoroughly in order to speed up the progress, he urged. After designating the development regions, the government has established universities and colleges essential for building up a modern developed nation. Therefore, all are to collectively participate in the tasks for producing intellectuals and intelligentsia, on whom the state can rely.

In line with the market-oriented economic system, it is needed for the emergence of many national entrepreneurs. Therefore, efforts are to be make for emergence of more rice millers, paddy traders and fishery entrepreneurs from Pyapon District.

After the meeting, Member of Central Panel of Patrons of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Vice-Senior General Maung Aye inspected Pyapon District and Township USDA offices and met Ayeyawady Division USDA Secretary U Than Tun, Pyapon District USDA Secretary U Aye Kyaing, Township USDA Secretary U Hla Moe and executives and members.

Next, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party proceeded to Kyaiklat, where they were welcomed by member of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commissioner of Division General Administration Department U Than Win and local authorities. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye visited Kyaiklat Tilawka Marajin Buddha Image and made cash donations to it.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party attended the offering of rice to the monasteries in Kyaiklat held at the Sasana Beikman of the Buddha image. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Member of the State Central Working Committee of the Sangha Mangay Monastery Sayadaw Bhaddanta Indaka and members of the Sangha. Chairman of Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Shankyaung Monastery Sayadaw Bhaddanta Pindola administered the Five Precepts. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye presented eight requisites and rice and the Secretary-2 and party, eight requisites to the Sayadaws. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Pindola delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained.

Then, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party viewed the progress of Kyaiklat. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye met with departmental officials, members of social organizations and townselders and at the office of Township Peace and Development Council and urged them to strive for further development of Kyaiklat.

They left Kyaiklat for Dedaye, where they were welcomed by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi and departmental officials. They attended the offering of rice to the monasteries in Dedaye held at Sasana Beikman of the town. At the ceremony, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye presented eight requisites and rice to Mayan Monastery Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vayama and the Secretary-2 and party, eight requisites to the Sayadaws. Afterwards, the sharing of merits followed.

At the office of Township Peace and Development Council, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye met with local authorities, departmental personnel and townsfolk. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye delivered a speech. In his speech, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye elaborated on efforts for emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation, gradual development of Dedaye region owing to the prevalence of stability and law and order, and collective efforts for the State's development through the cooperation of the State, the people and the Tatmadaw.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party inspected the progress of Dedaye and the Ayeyawady Bridge (Dedaye). On arrival at Kungyangon in Yangon Division, they visited Maha Tilawka Hmanku Bronze Buddha Image. They attended the offering of rice to the monasteries in the town held at the prayer hall of the image. At the ceremony, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye offered eight requisites, rice and edible oil to Kawdun Monastery Sayadaw Bhaddanta Tejinda and the Secretary-2 and party, eight requisites to the Sayadaws.

At the office of Township Peace and Development Council, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye met with division level departmental officials, local authorities, members of social organizations and townselders.

At the meeting, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe reported on accomplishments on GDP of Yangon Division, and progress in cultivating monsoon paddy and carrying out tasks for greening 30-mile perimeter of Yangon City; and Chairman of Yangon South District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Sein Hlaing, on cultivation of monsoon and summer paddy, edible crops and beans and pulses. Regarding the reports, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye elaborated on assistance being rendered by the government for the development of the township, projects under implementation for equitable development of the states and divisions, and importance of region-wise tranquillity.

Next, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye viewed the paddy fields along Kungyangon-Kawhmu-Kanbe-Dalla Road. They arrived back at Yangon in the evening.

Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Myanmar War Veterans Organization Central Organizing Committee Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein and member of the Central Organizing Committee Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, met with members of WVOs of Pyapon District, and Pyapon, Bogalay and Kyaiklat Townships at the office of Pyapon District Peace and Development Council on 30 July evening. They gave necessary instructions and fulfilled their requirements.