Extension of Hkamti Airport runway under way
Lt-Gen Ye Myint makes inspection tour of Sagaing Division

YANGON, 17 Jan — Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint of the Ministry of Defence left here by air for Sagaing Division on 14 January.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint was accompanied by Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Brig-Gen Than Tun, Deputy Minister for Transport Col Nyan Tun Aung, Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Aung Myo Min, Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, responsible personnel of the SPDC Office, and departmental heads.

On arrival at Hkamti Airport at 10.45 am, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party were welcomed by local Tactical Operation Commander Col Min Swe, local authorities, members of social organizations, and leaders of national races.

At the briefing hall of the airport runway extension project, Lt-Gen Ye Myint heard reports on progress of the runway extension, future tasks, and supply and use of fuel oil and machinery. Col Min Swe and Col Nyan Tun Aung presented additional reports. After hearing the reports, Lt-Gen Ye Myint gave instructions on timely completion of the earth work before monsoon sets in, construction of gravel roads, supervision of officials concerned for efficient use of fuel oil, and the erecting of barbed wire fences around the airport compound. Next, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party inspected the runway extension project and left there.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party arrived at Lahe, Hkamti District, at 1 pm. On arrival, they were welcomed by Sagaing Division PDC Chairman and North-West Command Commander Maj-Gen Tha Aye, local Station Commander Lt-Col Rusan Kyoo, division, district and township-level departmental officials, and members of social organizations and Naga cultural troupe.

At 1.45 pm, Lt-Gen Ye Myint attended a ceremony to unveil the ‘Myanma Education Goal’ stone plaque and opened the e-Learning Centre at the basic education school of Lahe. On the occasion, Lt-Gen Ye Myint donated exercise books and teaching-aids. Outstanding students unveiled the stone plaque to the accompaniment of a song named ‘Pyi-myanma’ sung by students.

Next, Commander Maj-Gen Tha Aye, member of the school board of trustees U Samu and head-master U Zaw Lwin formally opened the e-Learning Centre. Lt-Gen Ye Myint unveiled the signboard of the centre and donated exercise books and teaching-aids to the school. The headmaster accepted the donations. Lt-Gen Ye Myint also provided Nanyun BEHS with exercise books and teaching-aids through U Zin Wan, secretary of Nanyun Union Solidarity and Development Association.

Later, Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Commander Maj-Gen Tha Aye, officials, and guests toured the e-Learning Centre, the multi-media classrooms, and cottage industry classroom, where they watched students weaving and knitting Naga traditional shawls and matting baskets, and encouraged them.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Commander Maj-Gen Tha Aye and party also attended the opening of a tar road constructed by Lahe township development affairs committee. The ceremony took place at the top of Huitai Street in the township at 2.30 pm.

On the occasion, an official reported on the purpose of construction of the road. Next, Commander Maj-Gen Tha Aye and Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Than Tun cut the ribbon to open the road. Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Commander Maj-Gen Tha Aye and party inspected the road.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party proceeded to Lahe Township People’s Hospital (16-bed), where they were welcomed by Medical Superintendent Dr Aung Myo Win and health staff.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party inspected around the hospital and gave necessary instructions on the upkeep of the hospital.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party also went to the Border Areas and Nationalities Youth Development Training School opened by the Education and Training Department under the Ministry of PBANRDA. They inspected the students’ hostels and the school office.

At the assembly hall of the school, Lt-Gen Ye Myint met with township-level departmental officials and gave instructions on keeping the environs of the school clean and pleasant, growing fruits and vegetables for welfare purpose, and extending livestock breeding on a greater scale.

On the occasion, Lt-Gen Ye Myint set up an education fund of K 100,000 and donated 50 dozen exercise books and 100 pairs of trousers. Principal U Myint Thu accepted the donations.

Next, Minister Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, Managing Director U Thein Than of Diamond Palace Travels & Tours Co Ltd, and Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Than Tun donated K 100,000 each to the education fund of the school. U Thein Than also donated K 500,000 worth of 55 blankets, 55 mosquito nets, 55 pillows and one 21-inch television. The principal accepted the donations.

Afterwards, Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Commander Maj-Gen Tha Aye and party visited MyintmoU Pagoda, a replica of Shwedagon Pagoda, built on Gandamala Hill in Lahe Township. They donated some cash at the pagoda. They stopped over in Lahe.