Arrangements to be made for enhancing production capacity as the nation will be able to beef up generation of electric power significantly in coming year Prime Minister tours Ayeyawady and Taninthayi Divisions

YANGON, 28 April—Prime Minister Lt-Gen Soe Win, accompanied by Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo, Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister for Forestry Brig-Gen Thein Aung, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi, Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Myint Thein, Deputy Minister for Science and Technology Dr Chan Nyein, officials of the SPDC Office and departmental heads, left here on 26 April morning by air and arrived at Kyangin Cement Plant of the Myanma Ceramics Industries of the Ministry of Industry-1, in Kyangin Township, Hinthada District, Ayeyawady Division.

The Prime Minister and party were welcomed there by Ayeyawady Division PDC Chairman South-West Command Commander Maj-Gen Soe Naing, senior military officers, local authorities, members of social organizations, departmental heads and officials.

Minister U Aung Thaung gave an account of brief background history of the plant, investments, production capacity, arrival of raw materials, use of machinery, and requirements.

Managing Director of the MCI Col Soe Yee reported on manufacturing process, machines and spare parts, production and distribution of cement in 2004-2005, spare parts produced at the plant, requirements for major repair to the parts of the plant, production target for 2005-2006, production capacity, realization of the targets, and staff affairs.

In response, the Prime Minister in his speech said that the nation has enjoyed development with momentum thanks to the government’s unremitting efforts to carry out construction tasks in various sectors.

Head of State Senior General Than Shwe has given guidance on exerting greater endeavour to further promote the production, trade, electric power, and energy sectors.

Arrangements are to be made for enhancing production capacity as the nation will be able to beef up generation of electric power significantly in the coming year, in accord with the Head of State’s guidance. So, all possible ways and means are to be sought for enabling the major State-run factories to run at full capacity.

The Prime Minister said that in his recent inspection tour of Kyawswa Fertilizer Factory, he attended to the needs for ensuring full-capacity operation of the factories, maintenance of machinery, full electricity supply, and seeking ways to obtain assistance of other related departments and enterprises in repairing the machinery. The purpose of this inspection tour is to fulfil the requirements for Kyangin Cement Plant to run at full capacity.

Next, the Prime Minister held a meeting with division level officials, local authorities, members of social organizations and townselders at the factory.

The chairman of Kyangin Township PDC reported on salient points about the region, implementation of the five rural development tasks, land utilization, agriculture, livestock, cultivation of monsoon and summer paddy, cold season crops, and perennial crops, sufficiency of rice by 144 per cent and edible oil crops by 230 per cent, measures for better transport and regional development, and requirements.

The Prime Minister provided necessary assistance for education, health and transport sectors and regional progress, saying that the purpose of the meeting with the officials, service personnel, social organizations and townselders was to fulfil requirements for enabling the Kyangin Cement Plant to maximize its production capacity, and for regional development.

Measures are being taken for enabling related departments and enterprises to exert combined efforts, rather than implementation of the tasks by the ministries individually for the production of the State-owned factories to reach maximum point.

The government with lofty aims is shouldering the nation-building tasks through the 12 national objectives. The national progress is remarkable and there emerges a dam or a river-crossing bridge monthly.

The a rapid national development is due to harmonious cooperation between departments, social organizations, and the people adhering to the correct policies of the government.

However, at a time when the nation is making cumulative progress owing to the concerted efforts of the government and the people upholding the Our Three Main National Causes — non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity, and perpetuation of sovereignty—in accord with the 12 objectives, certain destructive elements are resorting to all possible wicked means to harm Our Three Main National Causes and to cause hindrance to national development.

He said that it is incumbent upon the entire national people to overcome all forms of the destructive acts according to the people’s desires.

Now, the entire national people including the national races groups that returned to the legal fold are shaping the nation’s future through discussions for smooth transition to democracy.

In addition, the government is taking measures for raising the health, social and education standards of the people to put the nation on the correct path to democracy.

He spoke of the need for state service personnel and ward and village administrative bodies who are implementing the State’s policies and programmes to carry out community welfare services in accordance with the government’s efforts and noble aims, while living with the people in unison.

If the departmental officials and the people are homogeneous and able to translate the State’s objectives into reality through correct efforts, there will emerge a society with higher living standard that conforms with transition to democracy.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister called on all to endeavour to catch up with the improving systems and changes in carrying out the nation-building undertakings.

The Prime Minister and party inspected limestone quarry, five miles from the plant and functions of Gyratory Crusher that can crush 300 tons of stone per hour. It is estimated that the limestone deposit at 300 feet deep level will have 49 million tons and that at ground level between 110 feet and 300 feet deep, 41 million tons. The Kyangin Cement Plant had taken out 10.2 million tons of limestone from 1975-76 to date. As about 80 million tons of limestone remains at the deposit, the plant can take out the resources from the deposit for about 147 years.

Furthermore, about 11-million-ton Natmeetaung Limestone Deposit, two miles from Kyangin Limestone Deposit, is designated as the reserved deposit of the plant.

Next, the Prime Minister and party oversaw installation of Ayeyawady River crossing Pyay-Seiktha pipeline of Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise near Seiktha Village on the west bank of Ayeyawady River.

Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi reported on production and distribution of natural gas in the entire nation, installation of oil and gas pipelines, progress of installation of Ayeyawady River crossing Pyay-Seiktha pipeline and maintenance works.

MOGE installed Pyay-Seiktha pipeline crossing Ayeyawady River for distributing natural gas to Myanaung Power Plant, Kyangin Cement Plant and Seiktha Methanol Plant through Pyay oil field.

Next, they arrived at Ngapiseik river water pumping project near Ngapiseik Village of Myanaung Township. Director-General U Win Shwe of Water Resource Utilization Department submitted reports on facts about the project and matters related to Ngapiseik and Kazunkhon river water pumping projects in Myanaung Township, Myogwin river water pumping project in Hinthada Township and Dahka river water pumping project in Kyaunggon Township. Minister Maj-Gen Htay Oo and Commander Maj-Gen Soe Naing gave supplementary reports.

After leaving necessary instructions, the Prime Minister inspected progress of the Ngapiseik river water pumping project. On completion, a total of 21,000 acres of land can be put under various crops as double cropping and the project can irrigate 7,000 acres of land under summer paddy, pulses and beans and edible oil crops. So, the project can contribute towards the triple-cropping.

They proceeded to Ngawun Bridge (Myogwin) construction project on Hinthada-Myogwin-Kwinkauk Road. Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Myint Thein briefed the Prime Minister on progress of bridge projects in Ayeyawady Division.

Officials of Public Works reported on matters concerning the Ngawun Bridge (Myogwin) Project and matters related to the bridge. Commander Maj-Gen Soe Naing, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and Minister Maj-Gen Htay Oo gave supplementary reports.

Ngawun Bridge (Myogwin) will be 2,800 feet long and 34 feet wide and it will have 28 feet wide motor road and 3 feet wide pedestrian way on either side. The bridge can withstand 60-ton loads.

At Myogwin river water pumping project, 20 miles from Hinthada, Director-General U Win Shwe of WRUD explained matters related to the project that can benefit 9,000 acres of land. The commander and Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than reported on cultivation of edible oil crops and pulses and beans with the use of irrigated water.

The Prime Minister inspected progress of the project. On completion of the project, it can irrigate monsoon paddy, pulses and beans and edible crops and summer paddy on 9,000 acres of land for triple croping.

They went to Kazunkhon river water pumping project, six miles from Myanaung Township. Director-General U Win Shwe of WRUD, the minister and the commander presented reports related to the project. The Prime Minister met with local farmers and explained plans of the Government for regional development and uplift of living standard of the local farmers. He added that thanks to Ngapiseik, Kazunkhon, Myogwin and Myitkyo river water pumping projects and Kun Creek, Ma Mya Creek, Kanyin Creek and Nankathu dam projects, about 100,000 acres of land can be irrigated the whole year round. So, local farmers are to make efforts for their cultivation tasks under the plans of the Government for uplift of their socio-economic life. He urged the local farmers to carry out cultivation tasks with the use of heavy machinery, and officials to fulfill requirements of the farmers.

On completion, the project can irrigate 5,000 acres of crops each for triple-cropping a year. The Prime Minister and party viewed thriving summer paddy plantations.

At Kyangin Cement Plant, the Prime Minister inspected machinery parts of the plant, No 2 Raw Materials Crusher, No 2 and No 3 Finished Products Crushers, equipment for the kiln and others.

The Cement Plant can produce 364,800 tons of cement a year during 300 working days. Now, the plant is making efforts for meeting the target of 360,000 tons of cement in 2005-2006 financial year.

After attending the opening ceremony of Kunchaung Dam on 27 April morning, the Prime Minister and party headed for Ma Mya Dam Project site near Hmyinwataung Village of Myanaung Township. Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo reported on dams and sluice gates under construction in the division. Deputy Director-General U Khin Zaw of Irrigation Department reported on facts about the dam project. Commander Maj-Gen Soe Naing also submitted reports on accelerating cultivation tasks with the use of facilities from river water pumping projects and sluice gate projects.

The Prime Minister inspected progress of implementing the dam project. The dam will be 11,800 feet long and 150 feet high. It can irrigate 10,000 acres of land. At present, construction of the dam was completed by 45 per cent.

On arrival at Kanyin Dam project site, the Prime Minister heard reports on matters related to the project by officials. The Prime Minister attended to the needs. Next, he gave instructions to officials and staff. He said that the Government is implementing various plans for uplift of living standard of the people. A large sum of money has been spent on development tasks for the sake of the nation and the people. That is why efficient use of finance and fuel is to be practised for minimizing loss and wastage in implementing the projects. He acknowledged that government employees facing difficulties are discharging their duties in the remote areas. The Government relies on skills and goodwill of the employees. The service personnel are to take pride in their work for public welfare and to participate in minimizing loss and wastage of the work sites.

Kanyin Dam is of earth type and it will store 148,800 acre-feet of water at the highest level and irrigate 25,000 acres of farmland.

In the afternoon, the Prime Minister and party arrived back here.

On 26 April evening, USDA Secretary-General Minister Maj-Gen Htay Oo and CEC member Minister Brig-Gen Thein Aung, who accompanied the Prime Minister, met with executives of Hinthada District, Kyangin and Myanaung Township USDAs at Kyangin Township USDA Office. They explained the aims, tasks and organizational matters of the association and carrying out of five rural development tasks.

Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan met with staff of Kyangin Township IPRD at its office on 26 April night. Heads of Kyangin and Myanaung Township IPRDs reported on their tasks. After attending to the needs, the minister said that the plan is being implemented in order to establish all village self-reliant libraries in 2005-2006. Therefore, staff are to cooperate with local authorities for establishment of the libraries in the schedule time, to maintain durability of the libraries, to organize local people to have reading practice, to make efforts for development of the library, to fix reasonable price for borrowing books, to prepare the wall magazine with latest knowledge and information and to organize use of TV and radio in every village and household.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

Prevalence of peace, stability and rule of law in Kachin state results in development of multi sectors of the StateKyundaw Bridge (Mogaung) in Kachin State commissioned into service

YANGON, 28 April — Kyundaw Bridge (Mo-gaung) on Mandalay-Shwebo-Myitkyina Union Highway in Mogaung Township, Mohnyin District, Kachin State, was commissioned into service yesterday.

The reinforced concrete bridge is 366 feet long and supports a 26-foot wide motor road, flanked by 4-foot pedestrian lanes. Sixty-ton trucks can travel on the bridge, whose clearance is 180 feet wide and seven feet high.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the bridge held in the township, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein quoted Head of State Senior General Than Shwe during his visit in Kachin State in April 1995, as saying, “Kachin State lacked development due to absence of regional peace for many years. Efforts should be made with might and main for development of the state. As peace is prevailing in the region at present, it is time officials and locals strove for increased production with the use of natural resources.” Thus, Shwebo-Myitkyina road has been upgraded to all-weather road. Since 1996, it has become a strategic road on the west bank of Ayeyawady River. Completion of new bridges — Kyundaw, Hopin, Mogaung and Mohnyin bridges — have helped facilitate transport on the road. In addition, the commissioning of the new Thabeikkyin-Tagaung-Shwegu-Bhamo-Myitkyina road on the east bank has opened one more gateway to the state. And the upgraded Bhamo-Namhkam, Bhamo-Ciu, and Mabein-Momeik roads have improved the transport between Kachin and Shan states. In addition to the roads linking the state with other parts of the nation, Myitkyina-Somprabum-Putao, Namti-Tanai-Nanyun, Mogaung-Pakhant, and Palamon-Hkamti roads have been upgraded into all-weather roads to facilitate transport within the Kachin State. Tatmadawmen are taking part in the task together with employees of Public Works. Kachin state now has 13 major bridges. In the past the main roads are running only from the north to the south of the nation. But the Government has built a network of motor roads and railroads including bridges on them. The newly built roads have become Union Highways facilitating the transport of the nationalities and strengthening their unity.

Armed insurgency has ended in the state, and thanks to the regional peace and the strength of peace, understanding, sympathy and cooperation among the nationalities, Kachin State has been witnessing development in all sectors including the economy. Moreover, because of the ardent and harmonious efforts of the local farmers, service personnel and entrepreneurs, food production in Kachin State has exceeded the local requirement. Thanks to the correct policy, encouragement and assistance of the Government, constant field supervision of the local authorities, and unity, perseverance and energetic efforts of the locals, Kachin State has been achieving sustainable development every year. Prevalence of peace and stability and the rule of law in the state have paved the way for the Government, the people and the Tatmadaw to develop multi sectors that are now bearing fruits being enjoyed by the local nationalities including Kachin, Shan, Bamar, Jainphaw. As the government is building development infrastructures in every part of the nation, and the locals of the respective regions are working hard, all the states and divisions are achieving harmonious development.

Based on the sound foundations, the Government laid down and is materializing the seven-point Road Map for smooth transition to democracy and transferring the sovereign power to the people, who are the rightful owners. All the nationalities living in seven states and seven divisions should make harmonious efforts for national development and modernization, emergence of a discipline-flourishing democratic state, and perpetuation of the Union.

Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun said that Kachin State now has 1,629 miles of roads, up 158 miles from 1,471 miles in 1988. The Kyundaw Bridge will directly benefit over 150,000 people living in the ten wards, 34 village-tracts, and 74 villages in Mogaung Township. Moreover it will facilitate passenger and freight transport.

Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Maj-Gen Maung Maung Swe said that Kyundaw Bridge is included in the infrastructures for harmonious development of the nation. A local thanked the Government for the bridge. The Secretary-1 unveiled the stone plaque and the commander and minister formally opened the bridge. The Secretary-1, Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint, the commander and the inister sprinkled scented water on the plaque.

Also present on the occasion were ministers, deputy ministers, officials, social organizations, students and local people totalling over 3,500.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

Deputy FM signs Book of Condolences

YANGON, 28 April— Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Maung Myint signed the Book of Condolences at the Embassy of Israel at 11.30 am today, in memory of the late Mr Ezer Weizman, former President of the State of Israel.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/

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