Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing meets district, township level departmental personnel of Shan State (South) and Pa-O Self-Administered Zone, discussed matters related to earthquake disaster and regional development, inspects damages
Nay Pyi Taw April 10
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met district and township level departmental personnel of Shan State (South) and Pa-O Self-Administered Zone separately at the town hall in Taunggyi and at the meeting hall of the self-administered zone this morning and discussed matters related to earthquake disaster and regional development.
Also present at the meeting together with the Senior General were SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, SAC members, union ministers, the Shan State chief minister, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, and the Eastern Command commander.
At the meeting hall of the self-administered zone, the Senior General heard a report territorial features, and injuries and destruction of departmental buildings, roads, bridges, pagodas caused by Mandalay earthquake that jolted on 28 March, reconstruction under-takings, reconstruction of damaged stupas and religious buildings in the compound of Thirimingala Shwechantha Pagoda in Hopong, presented by U Khun Ye Htwe, Chair of the self-administered zone administration body.
Earthquake damage and natural disaster response
In his discussions on earth-quake disaster and regional de-velopment, the Senior General said the visit is to survey the damage caused by the earth-quake in Shan State (South) and the self-administered zone and provide necessary means for rehabilitation. The earthquake left a trail of loss and destruction in Mandalay Region, Sagaing Region, Bago Region and Shan State and up to this morning, 3,649 persons were killed and 5,018 injured and 145 missing. The government will provide Ks-1 million for every person killed by the earthquake. Moreover, over 60,000 homes, 2,366 schools, 3,514 monasteries and nunneries, 5,620 pagodas and 291 hospitals and clinics were destroyed.
The lesson we learnt from the earthquake is that all buildings must meet engineering standards without fail. Inspection reports revealed that the collapsed or destroyed buildings did not meet the engineering standards and recognized rules and guidelines of the development industry. The price the country has to pay for this reck-lessness is very high as many lives were lost.
In fact, saving the lives of people under the rubble is really an arduous job. Teams from foreign countries also joined hands in the rescue and relief work with strenuous efforts. Tatmadaw sent rescue and relief teams soon after the earthquake. Likewise, members of Myanmar Police Force, fire brigades and Red Cross brigades also carried out rescue and relief undertakings with greater acceleration. We are glad to see well-wishers making donations for the victims and some even visiting the disasterhit areas to present the donations there. Helping people during hard times is an honorable deed.
As regards the transport sector, some railroads, motor roads, railway stations and bridges suffered damages. The government is striving for the earliest restoration of the sector and to restore the damaged schools before the start of a new academic year. It is also exerting efforts to locate the victims in safe shelters before the arrival of monsoon.
Regional development and production capacity promotion of agriculture-based industries
Monasteries and religious schools must be built in accord with the specific rules and procedures. Awareness about the recognized standards of the construction industry must be promoted. As water is the core part of town beautifying under-takings, adequate potable water supply must be ensured and catchment area conservation and environmental protection, carried out systematically.
Local supply of basic food must meet the local demand. The State needs a lot of funds for rehabilitation and restoration of the earthquake-hit areas. Export promotion depends on production growth and the country will earn more foreign exchange if it can boost exports. Hence, exports must be increased by successfully conducting agriculture businesses. Essentially, Shan State (South) and the self-administered zone must boost agricultural products and develop mixed cropping. They must increase exports through success in both agriculture and farming businesses.
Measures must be taken to enable students to use their holidays beneficially. There are many people in the country who did not complete their education and it is necessary to collect statistics in Shan State (South) and Pa-O area and conduct informal education courses like reading sessions, knowledge sharing sessions and shortterm courses and to open libraries. By doing so, local residents will gain knowledge for their socio-economic lives and livelihoods. It is necessary to motivate all school-aged children to go to school in the upcoming academic year and achieve a high percentage of pass rates. In accordance with the motto “national discipline begins at school,” clever youth can be nurtured during schooling under the guidance of parents and teachers. I would like to urge all to make concerted efforts to achieve high standards of education for children and to improve the standards of education.
As for health, healthy eating and living habits must be practiced. Smoking, drinking alcohol and chewing betel that are not beneficial for oneself and one’s family must be abstained from and selfcontrol must be upheld. It is necessary to raise health awareness to prevent untimely and unnecessary deaths due to an individual’s irrational eating and living habits.
Regarding rehabilitation, the government has implemented a policy to construct better buildings, roads and bridges and more developed cities. During the upcoming Thingyan, I would like to urge all to celebrate the festival peacefully in accordance with Myanmar traditions. A free and fair election will be held in December and concerted efforts must be made to hold the election successfully.
After the meeting, the Senior General and party cordially greeted departmental staff who attended the meeting.
Then, the Senior General and party arrived at the Hopong spring in Hopong in Pa-O Self-Administered Zone and inspected the maintenance of the spring and the lake, where officials submitted reports to the Senior General.
After hearing the reports, the Senior General gave instructions on systematic maintenance of the spring, consistent measures for pleasantness in the surrounding areas of the lake, maintenance of trees and forests around the spring and other necessary measures before inspecting the lake.
Then, the Senior General and party proceeded to the landmark of Hopong, Thirimingala Mwedaw Pagoda and paid obeisance to the pagoda by offering flowers, water and lights to the pagoda. Then, the Senior General and party paid obeisance to Chairman of Hopong Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw of Hokho Monastery Bhaddanta Vijaya and explained the measures to repair the damaged pagodas in the precinct of the pagoda for their durability in its original architecture in systematic consultation with experts to the Sayadaw. Then, the Senior General and party sought sermons from the Sayadaw and donated offerings. Afterward, the Senior General and party presented cash donations for allround renovation of the pagoda to members of the pagoda board of trustees.
Then, the Senior General and party inspected the damaged pagodas and religious buildings in the pagoda precinct and gave necessary instructions on reports of officials. Afterward, the Senior General signed the guest book of the pagoda.
Then, the Senior General and party arrived at University of Computer Science (Taunggyi) and heard reports on damage to the main three-storey building, northern and southern classrooms, student hostels and staff housing submitted by prorector and officials.
After hearing the reports, the Senior General gave instructions on demolition of the main three-storey building systematically as it was severely damaged and has been designated as a dangerous building by experts, the need to take durability and safety into consideration systematically in constructing a new one and systematic maintenance and repair of other damaged buildings before attended to the needs.
In the evening, the Senior General and party inspected the site for construction of a stadium in Pa-O National Allround Develop Ground and gave instructions on reports of officials.