Prime Minister inspects regional development tasks in Magway, Mandalay Divisions

Yangon, 18 Feb - Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, together with the ministers, the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads and officials, left here by air and arrived at Bagan-NyaungU, Mandalay Division, on 16 February afternoon. They were welcomed there by Brig-Gen Than Tun of Kyaukpadaung Station, Magway Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Col Zaw Min and military officers. The Prime Minister and party proceeded to Myaing Basic Education High School in Pakokku District, Magway Division. Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party inspected computer skills room, computer aided instruction room and language lab of the school. At the assembly hall, the Prime Minister met with the principal and teachers. On the occasion, Principal U Hsan reported on academic matters, pass rate of matriculation students and requirements. Minister for Education U Than Aung dealt with measures to be taken for raising education standard and pass rates of the students. The General upgraded a basic education primary school to a middle school in Myaing. The General and entourage inspected classrooms of the school. Chairman of National Health Committee Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party looked into Myaing PeopleÕs Hospital (16-bed) and upgraded it to a 25-bed one. At the office of Township Peace and Development Council, the General met with local authorities, service personnel and members of social organizations. Township Chairman U Hla Than reported on location, area, population and climate conditions of the region, land resources, sown acreage, construction of irrigation facilities, cultivation of monsoon and summer paddy, beans and pulses, edible oil and cotton, condition of local rice sufficiency, and education, health and communication sectors; Pakokku District Chairman Lt-Col Htay Oo, on annual rainfall of the district, growing of nine major crops, output of monsoon and summer paddy, local rice and edible sufficiency, cultivation of beans and pulses, cultivation of edible crops and edible oil sufficiency in the district, education, health and communication sectors and needs; Col Zaw Min and officials, on dams, reservoirs, tube-wells and water pumping stations and benefited areas in Magway Division, measures being taken for ensuring local rice sufficiency, extended cultivation of monsoon and summer paddy, cotton and other crops and boosting production and tasks for greening arid zone including conservation of forests and establishment of tree plantations. Afterwards, the General fulfilled the requirements to upgrade a high and middle schools and a rural health care centre and made a speech. In his speech, he said that Myaing Township is an arid region and it gets only a little rainfall. So systematic and effective measures are to be taken for sufficient water supply. Efforts are to be made for construction of small scale dams, underground water tapping stations and digging lakes in cooperation with respective departments, he said. The General stressed the importance of sufficient supply of irrigation and drinking water for regional development. That is why supply of sufficient irrigation and drinking water was adopted as one of the five rural development tasks, he remarked. He called on township level officials to make field tours down to the grassroots level in fulfilling the requirements of water supply. As Myanmar is an agro-based nation, measures are to be taken for achieving greater success in the drive for development of rural areas, he noted. In Myaing Township, groundnut and beans and pulses are main crops, but per acre yield of each crop is low. Officials concerned of the agricultural sector are to endeavour in organizing local farmers, disseminating agricultural methods including choosing high-yield strains and crop patterns, he said. At a time when the Government is constructing a modern textile factory in Pakokku region, spending a huge sum of money, systematic and effective measures are to be taken for boosting production of cotton, an industrial raw material. With boosting production of cotton, it will contribute towards the factory as well as create job opportunities for local people. Respective officials are to make combined efforts in organizing local farmers and providing necessary assistance for them for boosting per acre yield and meeting the quality of cotton, he added. In conclusion, the General called on officials at all levels to make endeavours in unison for accomplishment of the tasks for greening of arid zones, conservation of forests and establishing of tree plantations, which are being carried out by the Government to ensure a balanced climate. Next, the Prime Minister presented a TV set, a video cassette player and a computer set to Myaing BEHS through the principal. The Prime Minister and party headed for the arid zone model pilot agricultural farm and Hong Pang Agricultural Farm in Bagan.

They viewed pomelo plantation and vineyards. Officials reported on thriving plantations on the 66.57-acre Bagan farm. Afterwards, they arrived at the guest house in Bagan. In the evening, the General and entourage visited the Shwezigon Pagoda in NyaungU. The General donated cash to funds of the pagoda and inspected preservation of ancient Buddha images and artefacts. This morning, the Prime Minister and party left Hsataung Village in Pyawbwe Township, Mandalay Division, by helicopter and arrived at Meiktila at 11.30 am. They went to Meiktila Institute of Economics and inspected construction of the four-storey main building. Pro-Rector Prof U Than Swe reported on courses being conducted at the university, student population, IT rooms, organizational set-up and management matter. Minister for Education U Than Aung gave a supplementary report. Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt gave instructions on construction of buildings. He met faculty members and gave instructions on academic and management matters. Next, the Prime Minister and party inspected the construction site of four-storey main building. On arrival at Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University, they were welcomed by Pro-Rector U Tin Maung Nyunt, faculty members and students. At the classroom, Deputy Minister for Science and Technology U Nyi Hla Nge reported on courses being conducted at the university, academic, management and international relations matters. ACE Construction Co Chairman U Tint Hsan reported on completion of the workshop and staff quarters, construction of the main building, supply of water and power, roads and car parking, greening tasks and arrangements for building, the main hall, canteen, archway and entrance road. General Khin Nyunt gave necessary instructions.

Next, the General inspected the students learning the computer science and computer training centre, the English lab, the applied electric engineering lab, the electrical engineering circuit analysis lab, the flight simulator room, the library & resource centre, the engineering physics lab. Afterwards, the General viewed finishing touches to the main building. They then proceeded to Meiktila Government Computer College where they were welcomed by Principal Daw San San Nwe and teachers. The Principal reported on location and areas, progress in building two lecture halls, the management office and the computer hall, academic and management matters. The Prime Minister gave necessary instructions. Next, the Prime Minister and party went to the construction site of Meiktila General Hospital (200-bed) and the Nurse Training School. Medical Superintendent Dr Ba Shwe and officials welcomed the General and party. First, the Prime Minister and party saw over construction works at the hospital. Managing Director U Ye Tun of Myanma Industrial Construction Industries reported on construction of buildings and roads and supply of power and water. The General gave instructions on construction tasks to be carried out in accord with the lay-out plan. At Meiktila Education College, Principal Daw Khin Aye Lwin, teachers and students welcomed the Prime Minister and party. The Principal reported on academic and construction matters and requirements of the college. Minister U Than Aung gave a supplementary report. The Prime Minister provided cash towards the fund for construction of the two storey- lecture hall. Next, the Prime Minister and party went to Meiktila Airport and left for Yangon.