The New Light of Myanmar (Sunday, 27 January, 2002)(1/2)

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The New Light of Myanmar (Sunday, 27 January, 2002)(1/2)
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1. Thonze Dam in Thayawady Township opened to irrigate
   over 50,000 acres
2. - Minister attends Customs Day ceremony
   - Minister inspects Tin Refinery, Salt Mill
3. - Agriculture, livestock breeding and regional
     development works inspected
   - Commander meets trainees of UDNR
4. - Minister attends anniversary of IPRD
   - Artesian wells inaugurated in Sagaing, Shwebo Townships
   - Myanma Ten Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition continues
5. - Water supply equipment handed over to rural areas
     of Shan State
   - MMA (Yangon)'s Women Chapter meets
6. - Dinner marking success of Myanmar Dental Conference hosted
   - USDA trainees tour townships in Magway Division
7. - PRC delegation visits Bagan-NyaungU, Hlainethaya
   - UDNR trainees tour downtown Yangon
8. Cornerstone laid for construction of Sangha hospital
9. Myanmar basketball teams under training

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( 1 ) Irrigation facilities will effect rapod agricultural progress,
improvement in public socio-economic life
12 more dams including Yenwe Dam designed to benefit 100,000
acres under construction in Bago Division
Thonze Dam in Thayawady Township opened to irrigate over 50,000 acres

Yangon,26 Jan- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt, accompanied by member of the State Peace and Development Council
Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than of the Ministry of Defence, the ministers, the Chief
of Staff (Navy), the Chief of Staff (Air), deputy ministers, officials of the
State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads and officials,
left here by Tatmadaw Helicopter this morning and arrived at Thonze Dam in
Thayawady Township, Bago Division (West), at 8.50 am.

The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed there by Chairman of Bago Division
Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Brig-Gen Aung
Min, Commander of No 66 Light Infantry Division Col Aung Tun, Chariman of
Bago Division (West) Peace and Development Council Col Soe Nwe and
officials.A ceremony to open Thonze Dam built by the Ministry of Agriculture
and Irrigation was held at the Mandat near the dam at 9 am today, with an
address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt.Thonze Dam is located at the foot of historic Alan Hill at which
revolutionary leader Saya San had stationed his troops during the
anti-colonialist period.

Also present on the occasion were member of the State Peace and Development
Council Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than of the Ministry of Defence, Chairman of Bago
Division Peace and Development Conucil Commander of Southern Command Brig-Gen
Aung Min, the ministers, the Chief of Staff (Navy), the Chief of Staff (Air),
deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council
Office, departmental heads and officials, people form Thayawady, Latpadan,
Minhla, Monyo, Okpo, Hyobinggauk, Zigon and Nattalin township, farmers, the
Mingala drum troupe, the dance troupe, the hand and pom-pom dance troupes,
totalling over 10,000.

Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary-1 said the opening of the Thonze Dam
will effectively benefit the people living in Thayawady Township, Bago
Division. The local people should make more efforts for success of
agriculture in order to contribute to regional progress.The government is
paying special attention to enable the nation to stand shoulder to shoulder
with the world nations, to improve the living standard of the people and to
develop and strengthen the national economy.Thus, the government has been
giving priority to development of the agriculture which is the main economy
of the majority of the citizens. Thus the five working programmes extension
of cultivation land, adequate water supply, utilization of farm machinery,
technoligical, reforms and production and use of quality atrains have been
laid down and implemented. On the other hand, projects which will help
realize the working programmes have been implemented.

Thonze Dam is the 28the dam built by the government in Bago Division. The
government used K 1,308 million to build the facility which will irrigate
over 50,000acres of land. It cost K 12,972 million for the government to
build the 28 dams in Bago Division. They are supplying water to 368,000 acres
of crops.Twelve more dams including Yenwe Dam in Kyauktaga Township which
will irrigate over 100,000 acres of crops, Phyu Creek Dam in Phyu Township,
Khaboung Dam in Ottwin Township, and Baingda Dam in DaikU Township which will
have capacity to irrigate over 46,000 acres of crops are under construction
in the division.

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin said the project is
one of the rural development tasks in eastern and western parts of Bago
Division, undertaken in accord with the guidance of the Head of State for
enjoyment of socio-economic develop- ment and for emergence of irrigation
projects which play pivotal role in development of agriculture. The newly
inaugurated Thonze Dam will irrigate 50,000 acres of farmland in west region
of Bago Yoma and Thayawady Township. The farmlands of the west region of Bago
Yoma would be ever green any time together with the cluster of dams of North
Nawin, South Nawin, Matauntta, Kangyi-gon, Nathmaw, Shwedaung, Wegyi,
Taungnyo, Singu-gyoungkhoung and Thegaw dams, he said.

He said agriculture based in rural region is very extensive in Myanmar and
basic economy of the State. The government opened one dam and water supply
project every month in a short time for progress of the agriculture sector,
the main economic pillar of the country. The Thonze dam is the 129th one
opened under the present government, he added. Now, the government is
building a modern, developed nation, while making endeavours for narrowing
the gap between urban and rural areas where 70 per cent of 50 million people
in the country reside. Making efforts for development of the agricultural
sector is the prime task, he said. Conditions of land, water, human resources
and climate are better foundations for development of the agricultural
sector. The government is making efforts for food sufficiency of the country
and earning income by exporting surplus of agricultural produce.


It is also fulfilling the requirements of the people including farmers for
raising their living standard. Agricultural produce represents 52 per cent of
export. That is why projects are laid down and being implemented for progress
of the agricultural sector in order to become an agro-based industrialized
nation, he said. There are 45 million acres of arable land in the country.
Out of them, only 23 million acres of land were put under crops including
double and mixed cropping in 1988. Now total sown acreage increased up to 39
million acres. Altogether 5 million acres of cultivated acreage increased
within a decade. Arrangements are being made to ensure emergence of modern
mechanized farms while boosting the agricultural production of individual
farmers in order to bring about regional economic development. A total of 1.3
million acres of vacant land in the entire country has been turned into
cultivated acreage. In the western part of Bago Division, altogether over
0.14 million acres have been put under cultivation.

As water is essential for cultivation of crops, irrigation projects are being
implemented all over the country with might and main in line with the
far-sighted guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe. The total of
irrigated acreage in the country was 2.5 million acres in 1988 and now the
number has increased to 4.9 million acres. At the same time, serious
attention is paid to cultivation methods, types of crops and the most
effective utilization methods of in-puts, pest control, selection of strains.
In 1988 there were 16 irrigation projects with over 120,000 acres of
irrigated land in Bago Division. Nowadays, there are 28 irrigation projects
with over 360,000 acres of irrigated land in the division. In the eastern
part of Bago Division, many irrigation projects such as Yenwe Dam, Beinda
Dam, Kawliya Dam, Phyu Creek Dam, Khabaung Dam, Alaini Dam, Paingkyon sluice
gate, Tawa sluice gate, etc are being built to irrigate over 500,000 acres.
In the western part of Bago Division, many irrigation projects such as
Bawbin, Minhla, Bilin and Gamon dams are being built to irrigate over 80,000
acres of land.

The Thonze Dam is 150 feet high and 1,320 feet long. It can store 237,000
acre-ft of water. It is to irrigate 50,000 acres of cultivated land. Forest
conservation is important for watershed area of the dam, said the minister.
He urged the local people to maintain the irrigation facilities for long-term
use and utilize the irrigated water most effectively. Then, Commander
Brig-Gen Aung Min said that Bago Division plays a key role in the State's
economic sector since paddy is cultivated mainly and sugarcane have been
produced most in the division. Cultivation of pulses and beans in the
division are also being extended. As the division plays an important role in
the development of State's economic sector, the Thonze Dam, an assistance of
the State, emerged. It is a great pleasure for the division to see the
emergence of the dam. The successful opening of the dam is the result of
cooperation among departmental personnel, the Tatmadawmen and local people
including members of staff of Construction-9 of Irrigation Department under
the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, who rendered assistance for the
project, he said. The division is divided into the east part and the west
part, and altogether 14 dams that can irrigate 123,650 acres of farm land
were constructed in the east part of the division and 14 dams including newly
opened Thonze Dam to irrigate 245,120 acres of farmland were built in the
west part of the division, he noted.

Khabaung, Phyu, Yenwe, Baingda, Kawliya and Alaini Dams, and Tawa and
Paingkyon sluice gates in the east part of the division and Bawbin, Gamon,
Minhla and Bilin Dams in the west part of the division are under
construction. On completion of the twelve dams, there will emerge about
600,000 acres of irrigated farmland. The ID is to call on the local people to
follow the rules and regulations for durability of the already constructed
dams in the division, he said and urged the departmental personnel and the
local people to cooperate in effective use of the irrigation water. In
addition, he will fulfil the requirements in construction of the dams in the
division, he said. Then, on behalf of local residents, Thayawady Township
USDA Secretary U Hla Shwe thanked the State Peace and Development Council for
construction of Thonze Dam. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 presented gifts to
personnel of the Irrigation Department who contributed their services to
construction of the dam through Deputy Director U Kyaw Myint Hlaing and to
industrial staff through Assistant Director U Aung Kyaw Moe. The opening
ceremony of the dam was held at the archway of the dam. The Secretary-1
formally unveiled the stone inscription of the dam. Next, Commander Brig-Gen
Aung Min and Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin
formally opened the dam.

After that, the Secretary-1, together with local people and students, posed
for a documentary photo in front of the archway. Later, the Secretary-1
cordially greeted those local residents and inspected the main embankment and
control tower of the dam and the ceremony came to an end. After the opening
ceremony, Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and Director-General of ID U Kyaw San
Win reported on conditions of dams constructed and under construction in the
west of Bago Yoma, arrangements being made for supply of water for over
450,000 acres of farmland, salient points about the project, construction
works done, arrangements made for supply of irrigation water, and the dam and
related works to be carried out. The Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions.
The Thonze Dam is built on Thonze Creek in Thayawady Township. Its earth
embankment is 150 feet high and 1,320 feet long. The Thonze Dam will benefit
50,000 acres of farmland. Plans are under way for storage of spilled water to
carry out agriculture works in late monsoon season on 20,000 acres of land
which are prone to be inundated in the rainy season.

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( 2 ) Minister attends Customs Day ceremony

Yangon, 26 Jan- Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein attended
the Customs Day ceremony of the Customs Department held at the training
school of the department here this morning. Also present were Deputy Minister
Brig-Gen Than Tun, Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung,
Director-General of the Customs Department Lt-Col Khin Maung Lin,
directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises under
the ministry, staff and retired staff of the department.

Addressing the ceremony the minister said as Myanmar is a member of the World
Customs Organization the department is observing its ceremony together with
153 member nations of the organization; In order to contribute to development
of international trade sector, efforts are being made to practise appropriate
system on procedures. The minister urged the staff to keep alive the
procedures which facilitate trade sector for the development of the proper
evolution of market-oriented economic system, to strive for the development
of free and fair competition of the market and to abide by ethics and
disciplines for the dignity and competence of the department. Then, Minister
U Khin Maung Thein, Director-General Lt-Col Khin Maung Lin and Deputy
Director-General Thiha Thura U Thein Tun Tin presented prizes to outstanding
staff in social field, sports and service and students of the staff families.

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Minister inspects Tin Refinery, Salt Mill

Yangon, 26 Jan- Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint arrived at Tin Refinery
in Thanlyin yesterday afternoon. The minister was welcomed there by Director
U Win Myint Maung of No 2 Mining Enterprise and officials. In the briefing
hall, the factory manager reported on repair of machines and tasks being
carried out for use of the fuel-substitute gas-powered furnace. The minister
inspected refinery and tin production, stockpile of tin and vegetable
plantations for staff welfare. Then, the minister proceeded to Salt Mill of
Myanma Salt and Marine Chemical Enterprise in Thakayta. He inspected salt
production and rehydration salt. The minister gave necessary instructions.

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( 3 ) Agriculture, livestock breeding and regional development works
inspected

Yangon, 26 Jan- Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council
Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe inspected agriculture and
livestock breeding and regional development tasks in Htantabin Township,
Yangon North District, and attended to the needs yesterday afternoon.
Together with Secretary of the Divisional Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint and party
and officials, the commander arrived at the work site of Thabyedan River
Water Pumping Project in Aikalaungkyun region, Taikkyi Township, at 12.15 pm.


At the briefing hall, Head of the Division Water Resources Utilization
Department U Myint Soe reported on three water pumping projects being
implemented for cultivation of summer paddy in Bawlegyun and Aikalaungkyun
regions, installation of four 40-submersible pumps in the project and pumping
of 900,000 gallons of water per hour by each of these pumps; and Director of
the Division Development Affairs Committee U Soe Tint on progress of
construction of nine miles and four furlongs long earth road linking Tawlati
and Kalawtthawt in Htantabin Township, construction of two wooden bridges and
work to be done for paving laterite on the earth road. The commander gave
necessary instructions. Then, the commander inspected the pumping of water in
the project to cultivate summer paddy and left instructions. Afterwards, the
commander inspected arrangements for opening of multimedia teaching centre at
Tawlati Basic Education High School, and cordially met the patients and spoke
words of encouragement to them at the village 16-bed station hospital.

The commander and party proceeded to the fish breeding centre of ASEAN
Polymer Co Ltd near Kalawtthawt Village. At the briefing hall, Head of the
Division Settlement and Land Records Department U Naing Win reported on tasks
being carried out for agriculture and fish breeding in Aikalaung-kyun and
Bawlekyun regions; Head of the Division Fisheries Department U Khin Maung Win
on systematic digging of fish breeding ponds; and officials of the company
digging of fish breeding ponds and breeding of prawn. Next, the commander
said national entrepreneurs will be allowed to engage in fish breeding in
wetlands of Aikalaungkyun and Bawle-kyun regions. Assistance will be provided
for extension of fish breeding ponds up to 50,000 acres of land in Yangon
Division next year. Later, the commander and party inspected the digging of
1,000 acres of fish breeding ponds of ASEAN Polymer Co Ltd. Thence, they
proceeded to Aphyauk and inspected the bank erosion caused by Ayeyawady
river. Officials concerned reported measures for building the embankment.

The commander gave necessary instructions. Afterwards, the commander met with
townselders, departmental officials and personnel of social organizations and
discussed matters on regional development, agriculture and livestock breeding
works. The Aphyauk Township peace and Development Council chairman explained
the requirements for preventing bank erosion, ensuring better transportation
and regional development. The commander fulfilled the requirements. The
commander and party proceeded to No 13 sugar mill in Okkan. Officials
concerned reported matters on the mill. The commander and departmental
officials fulfilled the requirements. The commander also inspected the
milling of sugar and storage works.

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Commander meets trainees of UDNR

Yangon, 26 Jan- Chariman of the Management Work Committee for the study tour
of trainees of Primary Teachership Course No 34 of University for Development
of National Races Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council
Commander Brig-Gen Myint Swe met with trainees of Primary Teachership Course
No 34 led by Pro-Rector Daw Khin Si Si of UDNR at No 1 Transit Centre
(Bayintnaung) this morning. Also present on the occasion were Chairman of
Civil Service Selection and Training Board Dr Than Nyun and members, Chairman
of Reception and Accommodation Sub-Committee Commander of Yangon Station
Commandant of Defence Services Records Office Brig-Gen Myo Myint, Secretary
of the Management Work Committee Director-General of Civil Service Selection
and Training Department U Hla Kyi and members.
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( 4 ) Minister attends anniversary of IPRD

Yangon, 26 Jan- Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung attended the 11th
anniversary of Information and Public Relations Department on Pansodan Street
this morning. Also present were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein,
directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises,
deputy directors-general, advisers, officials of IPRD and service personnel.
First, the minister gave a speech. Then, the prize presentation ceremony
followed.

The minister presented the best district office award to Thayet District IPRD
and the best township office award to Aunglan Township IPRD. Similarly, the
minister presented other departmental prizes to respective township IPRDs.
The deputy minister presented prizes to outstanding service personnel.
Afterwards, Director-General U Chit Naing of IPRD presented 17 outstanding
educational prizes to the respective winners and gifts to staff of the head
office of IPRD. Later, on behalf of the prize-winning personnel, Staff
Officer U Thaung Win of Yangon East District IPRD spoke words of thanks and
the anniversary ceremony came to an end.

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Artesian wells inaugurated in Sagaing, Shwebo Townships

Yangon, 26 Jan- Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and
Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Director-General of Development Affairs
Department Col Myo Myint and officials attended opening of artesian well in
Sayay Anauk Village in Sagaing Division this morning. Executive Officer of
Sagaing Township Development Affairs Committee U Soe Myint reported on
measures undertaken for water supply. Executive Officer U Soe Myint and
Chairman of Village Peace and Development Council U Than Tun formally opened
the well.

The minister and party inspected sinking of artesian wells in villages in
Sagaing Township. Sagaing Township Development Affairs Committee implemented
18 water supply projects at a cost of K 5.3 million in 2001-2002 fiscal year.
A similar ceremony was held at Migyaungbin and Phone Gon Villages in Shwebo
Township. Director of Shwebo Township Development Affairs Committee U Myit
Toe and Chairman of Shwebo District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Than
Han formally opened the well. The minister inspected sinking of artesian well
in Sisonhon Village. Shwebo Township Development Affairs Committee
implemented 19 water supply projects at a cost of K 7 million in 2001-2002
fiscal year.

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Myanma Ten Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition continues

Yangon, 26 Jan- The Myanma Ten Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition 2002,
organized by Myanmar Traditional Artists and Artisans Asiayon (Central)
continued at the Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road for the seventh
day today. The exhibition was crowded with monks, departmental officials,
public, tourists, art-lovers, students and teachers. Famous painters brought
the exhibition to life by painting portraits in five minutes. Minister for
Foreign Affairs U Win Aung visited the exhibition in the morning. He viewed
the booths of ten traditional arts and crafts works, water-colour paintings
of members of Asiayon from states and divisions and private painting booths.
He was conducted round by officials of the exhibition. Record books of the
Asiayon, calendars for the year 2002 of the Asiayon (Central) and postcards
are being sold at the exhibition which will be kept open till 1 February from
9 am to 6 pm.
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( 5 )  Water supply equipment handed over to rural areas of Shan State

Yangon, 26 Jan- A ceremony to hand over drilling machines, accessories and
vehicles worth ´ 621 million donated by Japan for implementation of drinking
water availability for rural areas in Shan State was held at the
Nationalities Youth Resources Development Degree College in Amarapura
Township this morning.

It was attended by Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development
Council Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Ye Myint and Minister for
Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein
Nyunt, Chairman of Mandalay City Development Committee Mayor Brig-Gen Yan
Thein, Director-General of the Development Affairs Department Col Myo Myint
and officials from Japan. Mr Kiyoshi Kinuma of Japanese Embassy, Resident
Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency Mr Toshimichi Aoki
and Representative of Mitsubishi Corporation Mr Y Suga explained matters
related to Japanese Government's cooperation in clean water supply for
villages where there is water shortage. Then, Mr Y Suga handed over documents
related to machines, accessories and vehicles to Col Myo Myint, who then
spoke words of thanks.

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MMA (Yangon)'s Women Chapter meets

Yangon, 26 Jan- Myanmar Medical Association (Yangon)'s Women's Chapter held
its meeting at MMA's Auditorium on Theinbyu Street here this morning with an
address by Leading Patron of the Women's Chapter Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe. Also
present on the occasion were Patron of the Women's Chapter Professor Dr Daw
Thein Thein Myint, Chairperson Dr Daw Yi Yi Hla, Secretary Dr Daw Khin Ma Aye
and executives, and member doctors. Chairperson Dr Daw Hla Hla Yi made an
opening speech. Then, Secretary Dr Daw Khin Ma Aye presented minutes of the
Women's Chapter's annual general meeting held on 5 January. Those present
laid down future tasks. Next, Leading Patron Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe gave
instructions on future tasks. The meting ended with the concluding remarks by
the chairperson.
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to be continued...