( 1 ) Upgrading and repair of Taungup-Padaung Road under way

Yangon, 27 June - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than of the Ministry of Defence inspected the upgrading of Taungup-Padaung Road yesterday.

Accompanied by Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Commander of Western Command Brig-Gen Maung Oo and officials, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than arrived at the base camp of Special Road Construction Division-8 in Taungup Township in the morning.

At the briefing hall of the camp, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than heard a report on laying of tar on the surface of the 55-mile-three-furlong section of the road in Taungup Township, Rakhine State, and Padaung Township, Bago Division, levelling of the surface and patching of the holes presented by Deputy Superintending Engineer U Tin Htut.

Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than said efforts should be made to ensure a proper drainage system for the road, to patch holes on the road surface and to take preparatory measures to clear road blocks occurred due to landslides, floods and destruction of bridges. At present, the officials should stockpile granite, tar and other equipment to carry out the renovation work with greater acceleration during the open season. He then inspected upgrading and renovation of the road along the section from Mile Posts 46-mile-seven-furlong to 102-mile-two-furlong by car.

The over 50-mile section of the Taungup-Padaung Road in Taungup Township, Rakhine State, winds through the mountains and the over five-mile remaining section passes through the plain. In the plain, the road has nine wooden bridges — six 30-foot and above bridges and three under 30-foot bridges.

The Special Road Construction Division-8 is repairing and upgrading the Padaung-Taungup Road which is located in the area where annual rain fall exceeds 200 inches and on which a large number of heavy trucks roll. On arrival at the border between Rakhine State and Bago Division, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and party were welcomed by Chairman of Bago Division (Western branch) Peace and Development Council Col Soe Nwe and officials. They inspected the condition of the roads during their return trip to Yangon.

Exercise books and pencils donated to monastic education schools in Paung Township

Yangon, 27 June - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Maung Bo of the Ministry of Defence attended the ceremony to donate exercise books, stationery and cash assistance to the monastic education schools held at Zinkyaik Parahita Kyaung in Paung Township, Mon State, on 24 June morning.

Chairman of Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kosalla administered the Five Precepts to the congregation.

Then, Maj-Gen Maung Bo and the commander presented exercise books, stationery, cash assistance and offertories to the Sayadaws. The chairman Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits.

Next, Maj-Gen Maung Bo supplicated on matters related to religious affairs to the Sayadaws and gave instructions on academic matters to officials and attended to the needs. The donations went to 30 students of Zinkyaiktaung Parahita monastic education school and 34 students of Letpangyun Thiri Mingalar monastic education school in Paung Township.

Later, Maj-Gen Maung Bo, the commander and party attended the ceremony to donate rice and cash to the youth development Geha of Phayachauksu Pariyatti Sarthintaik in Laik-in Ward, Thaton. Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of the Sarthintaik Culavanna Vacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Bhavisarabhivamsa gave an Ovadakatha to the congregation. Maj-Gen Maung Bo presented K 100,000 for setting up the fund of the Geha and the commander 10 bags of rice to the Parahita Geha through the officials who presented a certificate of honour to them. Then, Chairman of the Parahita Geha U Thein Tun spoke words of thanks.

After the ceremony, Maj-Gen Maung Bo met with officials and teachers and urged departmental officials and the people to take part in carrying out tasks at a time when the government is nurturing human resources for uplift of the education standard of the entire nation. The head and students of the Geha paid respect to Maj-Gen Maung Bo and the commander.

In the afternoon, Maj-Gen Maung Bo inspected progress of construction of the two-storey building of No 2 Basic Education High School in Thaton. At the briefing hall, project in-charge U Hla Myint reported on the target on construction of the building, progress of construction, receiving of cash donations, gathering of construction materials and future tasks; Headmistress Daw Khin San Myint and member of the School Board of Trustees U Pa Gyi on academic matters and tasks being carried out for construction of the building.

Maj-Gen Maung Bo gave necessary instructions and presented cash donations for language lab of the school's multimedia teaching centre. Maj-Gen Maung Bo fulfilled the requirements and inspected the construction site. Afterwards, Maj-Gen Maung Bo proceeded to Thaton District People's Hospital and met with Medical Superintendent Dr Daw Khin Than Swe, specialists and personnel. Maj-Gen Maung Bo gave instructions on making field trips to villages for health care services, giving effective medical treatments to the people under the supervision of specialists and holding educative talks on hygiene for the local residents of the villages.

Then, Maj-Gen Maung Bo inspected the wards of the hospital and spoke words of encouragement to the patients. He inspected progress of construction of the operation theatre and attended to the needs regarding the reports presented by the officials.

In the evening, Maj-Gen Maung Bo and the commander visited the Shwesayan Pagoda in Thaton and offered flowers, lights and incense sticks to it. They then presented cash donations for all-round renovation of the pagoda through Chairman of the Pagoda Board of Trustees U Hein Paw, who presented a picture of the pagoda to them. Later, Maj-Gen Maung Bo gave instructions on renovation of the pagoda for causing great admiration of public, and circled the pagoda clockwise.

up
___________________________

( 2 ) Minister receives Italian Ambassador

Yangon, 27 June - Ambassador of Italy Dr Cesare Capitani called on Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin at his office at 2 pm today.

Indian guests call on L&F Minister

Yangon, 27 June - Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein received Managing Director of Castlerock Fisheries Ltd Mr Manu Mahtani and party of India at his office this afternoon.

Foreign delegation calls on Minister for Health

Yangon, 27 June - Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein received Residence Representative of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Mr Najib M Assifi at his office at 2 pm today. The minister also received a five-member delegation of Preparatory Evaluation Team on Major Infectious Diseases led by Dr Koji Okamoto at the same office at 3 pm.

( 3 ) Clothes, instant noodles donated to MMCWA

Yangon, 27 June - Korean Garment Manufacturer's Association (KOGA) donated clothes and Mamee instant noodles to Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association at MMCWA multi-purpose building in South Okkalapa Township here this morning.

It was attended by MMCWA Chairperson Prof Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and central executives, Ambassador of Republic of Korea Mr Lee Kyung Woo and wife Madame Lee Jung-Sook, KOGA chairman Mr Han Sang-Seob and officials.

First, Mr Lee Kyung Woo extended greetings. Then, Mr Han Sang Seob presented clothes and Mamee noodles worth US$ 20,000 to Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe. who presented certificates of honour to the wellwisher. Then, Dr Daw Kyu Kyu Swe spoke words of thanks and the ceremony came to a close.

( 4 ) Minister inspects construction of MMU

Yangon, 27 June - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe arrived at the Institute of Marine Technology on Bayintnaung Road this morning and inspected the finishing work of lecture rooms and laboratories at the reinforced concrete four-storey building under construction for MMU in the compound.

Then, the minister inspected the construction of a dinning hall and a hostel for 150 trainees of IMT. The principal of IMT and officials conducted the minister round the site.

The minister gave necessary instructions. Afterwards, the minister proceeded to the construction site of a 12,000-ton dockyard and inspected the digging of a coffer-dam entrance and the construction of a chamber. Managing Director U Percy Maung Maung and technicians of Shandoong Agricultural Industry & Commerce Group Corporation conducted the minister round the construction site.

He also inspected the dolphins and heard reports on the progress of work and work to be done presented by the managing director of Myanma Shipyards at the briefing hall. The minister gave instructions on completion of the project ahead of schedule.

Minister meets customs and banking staff

Yangon, 27 June - Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein arrived at the head office of the Customs Department and explained matters related to the procedures of the department to the director-general, the deputy director-general and staff of the department.

Then, the minister proceeded to Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank and met with the officials of MICB and Myanma Foreign Trade Bank.

At the meetings, the minister pointed out the roles of the department and banks in the economic development of the country and gave instructions on the observance of principles and rules of the department and banks by the service personnel.

Minister inspects factories in Thanlyin Township

Yangon, 27 June - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung arrived at Thanlyin glass factory of Myanma Ceramics Industries in Thanlyin Township this morning, where he inspected the sodium silicate factory, which is under repair, and the furnace and gave instructions.

The minister then inspected the plot where a new factory with capacity of 80-ton per day will be built and the building under construction. The minister also inspected repairs of furnace-1 and furnace-2.

Next, the minister inspected the manufacture of glass wares and finished goods and gave instructions to officials after he met them at the briefing hall of the factory. The Ministry of Industry-1 is repairing Thanlyin glass factory in accord with the domestic demands. Plans have been laid down to construct a factory which will produce glass bottles, fluorescent lamps, bulbs and vacuum flasks.

The minister then arrived at Myanmar Sai Steel Industry of Myanma General and Maintenance Industries, where he inspected the production of zinc sheets.

At 9 am, the minister arrived at Thanlyin garment factory No 18, where he inspected the preparation of finished garments, sewing and packaging, and gave instructions.

He also went to the garment factory No 19. At 10 am, the minister inspected the production lines at Thanlyin shoe factory No 2. Later, the minister inspected the plot chosen for the construction of glass factory near Thanlyin-Thilawa Road and gave instructions.

Work coord meeting of MPF held

Yangon, 27 June - A first four-monthly work coordination meeting 2002 of Myanmar Police Force was held at the meeting hall of MPF (HQ) this morning.

Police officers reported to Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing on tasks being implemented by their respective units. Speaking on the occasion, Col Tin Hlaing said tasks to control and prevent the narcotic drugs are to be carried out on a self-reliant basis to such an extent that they are totally wiped out.

Correct explanation is needed to suppress rumours spreading among the people and false information invented by foreign news agencies.

Giving helping hands to members of auxiliary fire brigade in addition to responsibly serving the duties of the State with patriotic and sacrificing spirit, fresh means are to be sought for effectively undertaking the crime reduction, investigation, lawsuit, punitive action and educative talk, he stressed.

( 5 ) Division level course for traditional medicine instructors opens

Yangon, 27 June - In accordance with one of the future tasks laid down by Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (Central) — caring family health with traditional medicines, Yangon Division Maternal and Child Welfare Association Supervisory Committee, with the sponsorship of the Traditional Medicine Department, held the opening ceremony of the division level instructor course No 1/2002 on traditional medicine at the office of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council this morning, attended by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe and Patron of the Supervisory Committee Daw Khin Thet Htay.

The commander delivered an address.

He said that the purpose of the course is to preserve Myanmar traditional medicine and to conduct family health care services with the use of traditional medicines in accord with the guidance of the Head of State; efforts are to be made to enable Myanmar housewives to know herbal plants and the method of Myanmar traditional medicines in nursing family members. Then, Dr Myat Moe explained potency and benefits of traditional medicines.

Afterwards, Patron Daw Khin Thet Htay presented gifts to the course instructors and the ceremony came to an end. In the afternoon, the commander went to Yangon Division Vegetable and Poultry Farming Special Zone near Nyaunghnapin Village, Hmawby Township, Yangon North District, and inspected tasks being carried out. He then gave necessary instructions to the officials.

Then, the commander arrived at the Hmawby Hsan Hall of the special zone 1, where he was welcomed by Commander of Hmawby Station Lt-Col Aung Than Tun, the chairman of the Special Zone Supervisory Committee and members and departmental officials.

At the briefing hall, officials reported on progress in weeding and making land preparations, cultivation of vegetables, breeding poultry and progress in digging fish breeding ponds zone-wise; Chairman of the Supervisory Committee Commissioner of Yangon Division General Administration Department U Thein Swe on progress of work in the special zones; Director of Yangon Division Irrigation Department U Kyaw Thein on arrangements made for proper drainage to prevent floods in the zones in the rainy season and for construction of culverts; and Executive Engineer of Yangon Division Myanma Electric Power Enterprise U Aung Kyaw Oo on progress in wiring and installing transformers in the zones.

The commander said that the departments under respective ministries are co-operating and making efforts for progress of Yangon Division Vegetables and Poultry Farming Special Zone.

He added it is needed to cultivate monsoon crops in the special zones as now is the rainy season. He called on the Supervision Committee to provide assistance for national agricultural and livestock breeding entrepreneurs.

Next, the commander viewed the experimental plot of chilli, baby corn and groundnut at the plantation of U Tun Oo in the zone 2. He then inspected breeding of layers at Htoo Aung Lwin poultry farm, where officials reported on breeding of layers, conditions in laying eggs and cultivation of vegetables in the surrounding areas of the farm.

The commander gave necessary instructions and attended to the needs.

The commander inspected vegetable plantations in the surrounding areas of the poultry farm of Myanmar War Veterans Organization and fulfilled the requirements. So far the ministries and national agricultural and livestock breeding entrepreneurs have cultivated vegetables on 1,012 acres of land and are breeding over 680,000 broilers and layers and have produced over 500,000 broilers at the Special Zone this rainy season. They are also breeding fish in 20 acres of fish breeding ponds.

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking held in Mandalay

Yangon, 27 June - A ceremony to open talks and exhibition to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was held at Mandalay Division Union Solidarity and Development Association Office yesterday.

First, Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Ye Myint formally opened the talks and exhibition and made a speech.

Then, Deputy Police Commander Police Lt-Col Win Kyi read out the message sent by Chairman of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing.

Afterwards, the mayor, the deputy commander and officials presented prizes to the winners of poetry, art, cartoon and article competitions held to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The commander and guests viewed round the exhibitions. The commander also attended the similar ceremonies in Basic Education High School No 16 and No 12.

( 6 ) Mayor inspects agricultural farms in Uto Kya-in region

Yangon, 27 June - Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, accompanied by officials, inspected the agricultural farms in U-to Kya-in region, Taikkyi Township, Yangon Division, this morning.

First, the mayor inspected the cultivation of monsoon paddy near Shwewahtun hall.

Then, he viewed the thriving of Japan sesamum cultivated on a experimental basis. He proceeded to the fish and shrimp hatchery division, where officials conducted him round and reported on hatching of 0.3 million fingerlings.

Next, the mayor went to the perennial crop plantation and inspected the cultivation of pineapple, lemon, guava and banana plants.

Later, the mayor inspected the milling of rice at the 25-ton rice mill, the grinding of groundnut oil and production of briquettes and gave instructions on putting the winnowed paddy under shelter timely, and proper supervision of minimising the loss and wastage.

He also went to Kya-in and Intwingyi region, where he inspected the cultivation of monsoon paddy conducted by the veterinary and butchery division and gave instructions.