Nay Pyi Taw January 10
Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met with departmental officials and local elders from Kangyidaunt town, Ayeyawady Region, at Ayeyathiri Thukha Hall this morning and discussed regional development.
Also present at the meeting were SSPC Secretary General Ye Win Oo, union ministers, Ayeyawady Region Chief Minister U Tin Maung Win, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the South-West Command commander, deputy ministers, and local people.
First, the chief minister reported on preparations for the successful holding of the phase 2 of the election in Kangyidaunt Township, regional points, agriculture and livestock under-takings, crops that meet the set per acre yield target, efforts to increase sown acreage of edible oil crops, cultivation of value-added pawsanhmwe rice strain, robuster coffee cultivation, hempcultivation for producing natural fertilizer, local food sufficiency, loans disbursed from national economic fund for agriculture, livestock and production businesses and availability of inputs, year-wise rural electrification projects, support for development of MSMEs and health, education and sports sectors.
Local elders expressed thanks, on behalf of the local people, for the support provided by the Head of State for progress of farming activities in Ayeyawady Region and development undertakings. They requested assistance for upgrading the People’s Hospital in Kangyidaunt, building a town hall, arranging hostels for teachers of agriculture, livestock and mechanical basic education schools from faraway places, upgrading the science hall, and building a retaining wall along Kanna Street, the venue of public recreation park and traditional festivals to prevent bank erosion, and continuation of the Myole-Padaungpaing-Padaukpin road upgrading project and the 4.5-mile long Thayetchaung-Lahakalu canal digging project that will irrigate about 700 acres of summer paddy in Lahakalu, Hsatkwin, Kwinyar-ashay, Htanbin, Kyutan, Meechaungtaya, village-tracts in Kangyidaunt Towship.
In response, the Senior General said reports on town beautification, road transport improvement, and other issues that are beneficial for the public will be examined and the requirements will be fulfilled.
Union Ministers U Min Naung and Dr Charlie Than discussed the implementation of the Thayetchaung-Lahakalu canal dredging project phase I and a plan underway to prioritize the implementation of the phase II, suggestions to increase cultivation of marketable Pawsanhmwe rice in Kangyidaunt Township, efforts to meet the target cultivation for crops in the region, arrangements of the State to provide necessary inputs, cultivation of Robusta coffee strains in horticultural farms with necessary assistance of the government, use of farmlands under the prescribed laws and rules, efficient use of farmlands under the procedures as Kangyidaunt Township is located on a focal point of transport with proper management, provisions of capitals, technologies and inputs to develop MSME businesses, conducting the courses on agriculture, livestock and industrial techniques, chances for individuals from Kangyidaunt Town-ship to seek necessary aids under the procedures in order to produce quality agricultural and livestock products, and needs to systematically operate industries without harming the natural environment.
On the occasion, the Senior General said that this was his first visit to the Kangyidaunt area and that he was pleased to see the town looking clean and well maintained. The Senior General noted that the responsibility of any government is to work for national development, adding that his administration is a government that has assumed duties on an interim basis. The Senior General explained that due to irregularities in the 2020 multi-party democratic general election, the Tatmadaw had to assume state responsibilities in accordance with the 2008 Constitution. The Senior General added that the election irregularities were investigated and uncovered. When the government first took office, the COVID-19 pandemic was ongoing and conflicts arose due to political differences. Amid such unrest and violence, together with the spread of CO-VID-19, many public service personnel including education and health staff left their workplaces without thorough understanding about politics and national cause due to incitement, instigation, intimidation, and coercion and participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). Hence, the government tried hard to over-come different hardships and crises.
Similarly, efforts had been made to promote agricultural and livestock production in order to boost national economic growth. The Senior General noted that when they first assumed responsibilities, they had done their best to advance the national economy despite sanctions. Such progress was made possible due to the collective cooperation and efforts of all the people living in the country. Only with economic development would living standards improve, and therefore production-based industries grounded in agriculture and livestock breeding be further developed to achieve greater progress than at present.
Kangyidaunt area is based on an agriculture- and livestock-driven economy, and therefore greater emphasis must be placed on promoting rural economic development. In order to carry out agricultural and livestock activities in a systematic manner, industrial, agricultural, livestock, basic education high schools have been opened by district across the country, with efforts underway to further expand more establishments. These schools will produce skilled human resources proficient in agricultural and livestock activities that will support local production.
He stated that the State is striving to upgrade the education sector to ensure an abundance of educated human resources necessary for national development. In a democratic system, it is crucial to know and follow the law; therefore, every citizen needs to have a fundamental understanding of legal matters. Furthermore, if every citizen possesses economic awareness, it will significantly bolster national economic growth starting from the individual level. To facilitate this, Bachelor of Arts (Law) and Bachelor of Arts (Economics) programs are being taught at every university to ensure the widespread acquisition of legal and economic knowledge.
Also, he stated that educated human resources are essential for regional development. There-fore, although the Constitution mandates a compulsory primary education system, the government has arranged for every citizen to be able to study until the completion of middle school (KG+9) to keep pace with the current age. He noted that successes have already been achieved and that these efforts will continue to be implemented more effectively and extensively. Furthermore, he stressed the need to prioritize increasing the class transition rates of students. It is necessary to strive for a further increase in the number of educated individuals within Kangyidaunt Township. He emphasized that technical expertise can only be built upon the foundation of formal schooling, and students must have the opportunity to pursue higher education in their respective subjects. To this end, he urged those in charge to prioritize increasing the class transition rates of students to ensure their academic progress. He stated that parents should support their children’s education to ensure they achieve better lives and greater success than previous generations. To support the national education upgrade and enable teachers to pursue master’s degrees and advanced studies, certain Education Degree Colleges will be upgraded to Universities of Education. Furthermore, he urged everyone to maintain a healthy lifestyle, noting that good health is the essential foundation for both effective work and success-full learning.
He then stated that if the country successfully develops its agriculture and livestock sectors, national prosperity will increase significantly. He noted that due to the failure to meet target yields in agricultural activities across the nation, the country is losing approximately US$-8 billion annually. There-fore, efforts must be made to ensure that target yields per acre are achieved. He emphasized the need to enhance production industries based on agriculture and livestock, and urged for the cultivation of crops that are in high demand in both domestic and international markets. It has been noted that Pawsanhmwerice is cultivated within Kangyidaunt Town-ship; as a high-value variety, it possesses significant export potential for international markets. Therefore, he urged for concerted efforts to be made to increase the production and cultivation of Pawsanhmwe rice.
It has been learned that within Kangyidaunt Township, livestock farming involves raising layer chickens, fish, ducks, and cattle. Promoting cattle farming can help obtain the necessary organic fertilizers for agricultural activities. It is also necessary to plant shade trees and windbreak trees within the region to adequately protect against natural disasters. The state is also providing as much support as possible to enhance the flow of goods and make transportation faster and smoother within the region. It was also stated that the second part of the election will be held in the coming days, and in casting votes, it is necessary to select and vote for those who can genuinely work for the benefit of the region and the country, and who have an interest in working to improve and advance the region’s education and healthcare.
Subsequently, the Senior General warmly greeted the departmental officials, town elders, and local residents who attended the meeting.
Furthermore, the Senior General, accompanied by his entourage members, visited the Education Degree College in Pathein, where they were welcomed and greeted by the Deputy Minister for Education, the Rector, and responsible officials. Following that, based on the presentation of college-related information and requirements, the Senior General gave necessary instructions.
Afterward, the Senior General, and members inspected the Pyinnya Yadana Hall and toured the college. Based on the presentations by responsible officials, it was noted that the hall needs to be upgraded, and for a clean, beautiful, well-ventilated, and healthy environment within the college, large trees should be pruned at the base to allow more light, cleaning tasks should be carried out systematically, and buildings should be renovated and maintained as needed for effective use. Other necessary instructions were also given.
Subsequently, the Senior General, and members arrived at the college library for inspection. Based on the presentations by responsible officials, he noted that the library needs to be stocked with a wide variety of books and literature, and that having teaching aid books would be particularly helpful for students. Bookshelves and cabinets should be organized systematically, and books and literature should be properly maintained and used. Other necessary instructions were also given.
Later, the Senior General donated funds to systematize the library, which were received by the library in-charge.
