Meeting with Officials: SAC Chairman visits Taunggyi and Hopong

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing held meetings with the departmental personnel from Shan State (South) and PaO Self-Administered Zone in Taunggyi and Hopong respectively on Thursday.

During these meetings, the Prime Minister heard reports on the impact of the powerful Mandalay earthquake that struck on March 28 and rehabilitation efforts. Upon the reports, the Prime Minister discussed the need to strictly follow the engineering standards in construction works.

Highlighting the difficulties in rescue operations, the Prime Minister praised the efforts of the Tatmadawmen, members of Myanmar Police Force, Fire Brigades and Red Cross members in cooperation with international rescue teams. He also stressed the generous donation of the well-wishers for the quake-hit communities, which reflects the spirit of offering a helping hands at the difficult time.

He added that plans are underway to complete the repair works of the schools before the school opening season while also making efforts for providing shelter to the quake-hit communities before the rainy season. He outlined the government’s policy on the rehabilitation works which is to establish the developed cities with better infrastructures.

As of April 10th, 3,649 people were reported death with 5,018 injured and 145 remained missing due to the devastating earthquake. The government pledged to provide 1 million kyat to each deceased victims. As for infrastructure damages, more than 60,000 houses were collapsed along with over 23,000 schools, over 3,500 monasteries and nunneries, more than 5.600 pagodas and 291 hospitals and clinics. During the tour in Hopong, the Prime Minister inspected the Hopong water sources and its conservation works.

They also paid homage to the Thiri Mingala Shwe Chan Tha Mwe Taw Pagoda, outlining the renovation plan of the damaged religious edifices to the Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Chairman. They later viewed the damages of religious infrastructures in the pagoda compound.

On arrival at the University of Computer Studies in Taunggyi, the Prime Minister heard reports on the damage of classrooms, hostels and staff housings. Upon the reports, the Prime Minister instructed for systematic demolishing of dangerous buildings while carrying out the renovation of partially damaged buildings and reconstruction works. They then inspected the chosen site for construction of Sports Stadium in the compound of PaO National Comprehensive Development Ground.