• As good sons of the State, serve the interests of the people
• Prime Minister inspects Shwegyin Hydel Power Project in Bago Division

• Secretary-2 inspects construction of Ngwe Hsaung Beach Hotel, laying of concrete on Pathein-Ngwe Hsaung Road
• Vitamin-A given to children and breast-feeding mothers
• 1,014 gem merchants arrive
• Gem mining works to be permitted to national companies and organizations

• Myanmar National Seminar and Action Plan Preparation Workshop of ADB-ASEAN Road Safety Project opened

• Myanmar football team leaves for China 

• 68 acres of poppy plantations destroyed in Phakant township

The Tatmadaw at present is endeavouring to ensure peace and stability of the State for the people to live with peace of mind and earn their living unhindered. In addition, it is working hard to raise the per capita income annually and develop the national economy. In every part of the nation, its endeavours are for the annual growth of the gross domestic product as it will lead to improving the life expectancy and raising the health, education and social standard of the people. Moreover, its building of economic and social infrastructures including roads, bridges and dams in all sectors in every direction of the nation is not only for the present, but also for the posterity. Here, I would like to say that as we are good sons of the State, we are working in the interest of the people.

Senior General Than Shwe Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services (From address at the graduation parade of 5th Intake of Defence Services Medical Academy)

YANGON, 15 March - Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, accompanied by member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than, the ministers, the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of departments, left here by helicopter yesterday and arrived at the site of Shwegyin Hydel Power Project in Shwegyin, Bago Division.

The Prime Minister and party were welcomed by Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Maj-Gen Ko Ko, Deputy Minister for Electric Power U Myo Myint and officials.

Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut reported on the background history of the project, survey by Hydro Electric Power Department, the purpose and data of the project and construction tasks.

Deputy Minister U Myo Myint reported on diaphragm dam, diversion conduit, intake structure, spillways, support spillways, gravel-filled dam, electric power station, sub-power station and related structures, diaphragm concrete wall and construction of gravel-filled dam.

The Prime Minister gave instructions on precise data of the project and speedy completion of the project.

The Prime Minister presented gifts to foreign consultant experts working in the project. He then inspected scale model of the dam and sample of earth to be used in construction of the dam. The Prime Minister and party inspected the construction of the project.

The Prime Minister and party went to the site and construction of diversion conduit and the main dam. They were conducted round by Minister Maj-Gen Tin Htut and officials.

The Prime Minister and party proceeded to the site of construction of concrete diaphragm wall. They inspected quality control of soil cement and testing of wax percentage in the earth.

The Prime Minister and party inspected construction of concrete diaphragm wall including boring, clam shell and laying of concrete. They were conducted round the place by officials of High Tech Concrete Co Ltd.

Shwegyin Hydel Power Project is one of the Sittaung River Valley Hydel Power Projects. Shwe-hlaung Dam will be built on Shwegyin Creek and it will generate 75 megga-watt.

The Prime Minister and the commander went to Shwegyin, Bago Division where they were welcomed by Tactical Operations Commander Col Zaw Win Myint and members of Bago District and Shwegyin Township Peace and Development Councils, departmental officials and social organizations.

The Prime Minister and party proceeded to the 100-bed hospital where they were welcomed by Medical Superintendent Dr Kyi Soe and doctors. Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint reported on location and area of the hospital, construction of the hospital and work undertaken for treatment.

Next, U Tin Shwe of YaungchiOo Construction reported on OPD, office, construction of ward-2, power and water supply and construction tasks.

The Prime Minister then gave instructions and inspected scale model of the hospital, denture clinic, X-ray unit and wards and construction.

The Prime Minister and party reached Hsan-dawshin Maha Buddha Pagoda in Shwegyin. They presented offertories to members of the Sangha led by State Ovadacariya Maha Pyinnya Beikman Kyaung Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Panñavara.

The Prime Minister and party paid obeisance to the Buddha image at the pagoda. The Prime Minister donated cash to the pagoda and visited it.

Next, the Prime Minister met members of Shwegyin Township Peace and Development Council, departmental officials and social organizations at Myawady Hall.

Chairman of Shwegyin Township Peace and Development Council U Htwe Myint reported on area and location of the town, population, land utilization, rainfall, cultivation of monsoon and summer paddy, beans and pulses and oil crops, sufficiency of rice and edible oil, education and health, tasks for development of the town and requirements.

Next, the Prime Minister upgraded basic education high school, two basic education branch schools, a middle school and a primary school and a station hospital and fulfilled the requirements.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that the purpose of his tour of Shwegyin Township was to see to everything necessary for regional development and the higher living standard of local people.

He also said that he went to the Shwegyin hydel power station project being implemented near Shwegyin and the construction project of 100-bed Shwegyin hospital and attended to the requirements of the projects, he added.

The Prime Minister continued that he would render assistance to regional development measures including economic, social, education, health, transport and city modernization tasks after meeting departmental officials, members of social organizations and townselders.

When it comes to preserving the traditional culture of Myanmar, Shwe-gyin sets an example as it keeps alive not only the tradition of the oil lamp festival but also the Shwegyin Tetpyan group dance, he said.

Shwegyin lagged behind in development due to lack of stability in the region, he said, adding that the progress of regional tranquillity, however, now enabled the State to take steps to modernize the region and to raise the living standard of the local people.

The Prime Minister continued Shwegyin-Madauk motor road and Sittaung river-crossing Shwegyin-Madauk Bridge on the road, which would accelerate the development momentum of Shwegyin, were also constructed. Moreover, the 100-bed Shwegyin hospital would soon be opened and it would provide public health care services to the full. Furthermore, a hydel power station project was also under way near Shwegyin; and when completed, the project would supply the region with adequate electricity. The project would also generate enough electricity through its main power network for the whole country.

The Prime Minister also said that taking into consideration what township officials and townselders reported and calculating the strength of wealth with technicians, the Government rendered assistance to the rightly needy sectors: to

promote the education of national youths living in the region, to develop mo re human resources for the future, to provide more public health care for the locals, to develop the township, to ensure the supply of safe water, and to upgrade roads in the township.

At a time when the Government is making all-out efforts on a national scale to ensure equitable development all over the country, laying down border area development plans, the 24 development zones and rural development plans, township officials and departmental personnel are required to carry out their tasks above and beyond the call of duty, the Prime Minister urged.

The Prime Minister also spoke of the need of the regional officials to roll up their sleeves to be able to bridge the development gap of their region using their creative thoughts as well as industry and volition at such a time when regional stability prevails to some extent.

He continued that as the State had formed administrative machinery at different levels systematically, it was incumbent upon officials at every level to play an active part in making that machinery run properly and smoothly.

In particular, concerted efforts are to be made to develop the township and to improve the socio-economic life of the people living in the township as committees had also been formed for the education, health, agriculture and transport sectors of townships at grass-roots level.

The Prime Minister later instructed that departmental officials at township level are to tour rural areas at grass-roots level in their townships and fulfil the public needs by seeking ways and means; that they should strive hard for the speedy realization of the five rural development plans so that the rural people can enjoy the fruitful results; and that they are to lead the public with correct leadership in the successful implementation of the seven-point political programme of the State, so the peaceful, modern, developed and discipline-flourishing democracy can take shape.

Later, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt donated a television, a video player and a set of computer to be used at Shwegyin BEHS through the schoolhead. Afterwards, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party proceeded to Nyaunglaybin.

YANGON, 15 March - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein, member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry of Defence and officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, left here on 13 March and arrived at Bo Myat Tun Bridge in Nyaungdon Township. They were welcomed by Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Naing, Chairman of Maubin Township Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Sein Maung and officials.

The Secretary-2 and party and the commander went to Kyaunggon Township where they met chairman of Township PDC and members, officials of social organizations. The Secretary-2 discussed agriculture, livestock breeding, prevalence of law and order, community peace and tranquillity, making the town green and pleasant, fire preventive measures, cooperation with non-governmental organizations for successful implementation of five rural development tasks by making trips to the grassroots levels. The Secretary-2 and party arrived at Ngwe Hsaung beach where they were welcomed by Ngwe Hsaung Township Officer U Tin Zaw Zaw Aung and officials.

Chairman of Central Organizing Committee of Myanmar War Veterans Organization Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Thein Sein inspected construction of Ngwe Hsaung Beach Hotel of MWVO. Chairman of Pathein District PDC Lt-Col Hla Thwin reported on data of the beach and construction of recreation camps.

Managing Director of Aungchantha Construction Co Ltd U Naw Aung reported on implementation of the first phase of the project, water and power supply and construction.

The Secretary-2 inspected construction of six five-unit hostels and other buildings and he was conducted round by Managing Director U Naw Aung and Managing Director of Cho Zaw Construction Co Ltd Daw Khin Pyone Yi.

The Secretary-2 gave instructions on opening of the hostels coming Thingyan festival, planting of shade trees and making the beach beautiful.

The Secretary-2 inspected laying of concrete on Pathein-Ngwe Hsaung Road by Asia World Co Ltd. He then gave instructions on proper drainage and planting of shade and windbreak trees.

The Pathein-Ngwe Hsaung Road is 30 miles three furlongs long.

Altogether 28 wooden bridges on the road are being upgraded to reinforced concrete bridges.

Chairman of Central Body for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Thein Sein attended the opening ceremony of runway of Pathein Airport on 14 March in Pathein.

They arrived back here in the afternoon.

YANGON, 15 March - A ceremony to give vitamin-A to children from the age of 6 months to 5 years and breast-feeding mothers was held at the hall at Yangon Command this morning.

At the ceremony Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe and wife Yangon Division Maternal and Child Welfare Association Supervisory Committee Patron Daw Khin Thet Htay fed the vitamin-A to the children.

Daw Khin Thet Htay and officials gave vitamin-A to the children aged from 6 months to 5 years and breast-feeding mothers and gave away foods.

YANGON, 15 March - A total of 1,014 gem merchants - 566 from 224 companies of eight foreign countries and 448 from 176 local companies - arrived here to attend Myanma Gems Emporium- 2004 being held at Myanma Gems Mart on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road here.

They were 482 gem merchants from 191 companies in the People's Republic of China, 50 from 17 Thai companies, 16 from three Japanese companies, one from one

Italian company, three from three Sri Lankan companies, three from two US companies, 10 from six Singaporean companies and one from one company in the UK.

The merchants viewed round the emporium today from 9 am to 5 pm.

Jade lots will be sold through tender system and competitive bidding from 16 to 18 March.

YANGON, 15 March - An announcement was released concerning the issue of permits to national private companies and organizations under the bidding system

consistent with Myanma Gems Law to work at new gem mines designated by Myanma Gems Enterprise in Phakant, Lonkhin and Nantyahseik regions as well as at vacant

gem mines in addition to those about to expire in July, August and September out of jade and gem mines being undertaken by national gem entrepreneurs in gem mines in accord with Myanma Gems Law.

Registration forms and proposal forms are now available at Myanma Gems Enterprise (Head Office) at No 66, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Yangon, and can be submitted not later than 7 April beginning today.

Detailed information can be obtained at MGE (Head Office), and at jade and gems mining centres in Mogok, Lonkhin, Mandalay, Myitkyina, Hkamti, Mongshu, and Lokhsaung.

YANGON, 15 March - Myanmar National Seminar and Action Plan Preparation Workshop of ADB-ASEAN Road Safety Project commenced at 9 am today at MICT Park on Hline University Campus here.

Present at the opening ceremony were Deputy Ministers for Rail Transportation Thura U Thaung Lwin and U Pe Than, Traffic Rules Enforcement Supervisory Committee Vice-Chairman Yangon City Development Committee Joint-Secretary U Kyi Win, Secretary of TRESC Director-General of Road Administration Department U Hla

Thaung Myint, Deputy Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Brig-Gen Zaw Win, departmental heads, WHO Resident Representatives Dr Agostino Borra, and Dr Alan Ross of ADB-ASEAN Road Safety Project and members, officials and those of social organizations and private companies.

First, Deputy Minister Thura U Thaung Lwin spoke on the occasion. And Dr Agostino Borra and Dr Alan Ross also made speeches.

Next, the deputy ministers and those present had a documentary photo taken.

U Kyi Win chaired the seminar together with U Hla Thuang Myint. Then those present made discussions.

The seminar continues tomorrow and the workshop will be held from 17 to 19 March.

YANGON, 15 March - Led by Myanmar Football Federation Vice-President-1 Officer on special duty at the Ministry of Sports Lt-Col Maung Ko and Vice-President-3 U Wai Yan Aung, the selected Myanmar soccer team left here by air this morning to participate in Myanmar-China friendly warmup football tournament. They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by MFF Patron Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, officials of the Ministry of Sports and MFF and families of the football team. The football team include the team leader, manager, coach, medical in charge and 18 players totalling 25.

Yangon, 15 March - A combined team comprising local Tatmadawmen, intelligence unit, members of Myanmar Police Force and Kachin State Special Region (2), departmental personnel and local people searched and destroyed 14 poppy plantations (68 acres of poppy cultivation) around the area between Sanpe Creek and Dukho Creek in Phakannt Township, Kachin State, from 25 to 28 February.

Up to now in this poppy cultivation season, a total of 7071.60 acres of poppy plantations have been destroyed, it is learnt.