28 April
Following the decisive victory in the 2015 General Election in Myanmar, the incumbent government assumed the responsibility of State and now sailing through the third year period, despite rowing at rough sea, it is reasonable enough and fair to say “Striving for success of reforms”.
As a nascent nation in transition, the Government sincerely endeavors with focus on state development in political, social and economical reforms since its inception.
In the pattern of proper chain of command paradigm, the regional and state governments shifted into changes in line with the policies, the objectives, and the instructions of the Union Government, moved in top gear into the third year period.
Administrative pillar
In its cruise into the third year term, the Bago Regional Government has conducted the most essential tasks for the grassroots level such as the election of the ward and village administrators in accordance with the Ward and Village Tract Administration Law. It was first enacted in February 2012, and amended in January 2016 and again, for the third time, in December 2016.
All the administrators are imparted and embedded with motley assortment of courses including financial management in the approach of theory and practise through the concept of capacity building in each and every township.
Moreover, the Offices of One Stop Service (OSS) are being established in 28 townships, and offered services to the public with many relaxations of rules and also on red tapes from simple common matters to complicated land grant certificate issuances.
Judicial Pillar
Easy access to information for the public has been facilitated at 33 courts and law offices with the opening of separate divisions such as that of the Information Counter and that of the Intake Counter.
Furthermore, the Case Management Program (CMP) has been administering at Bago District Court and Law Office, and Courts and Law Offices at township levels. The offices are providing that of the services of negotiating of settlements system; that of assisting legal aids to vulnerable and marginalized clients especially women and children; and that of the establishment of legal aid associations and teams.
System on the Case Management Program (CMP) has resulted with transparency, relieving the unnecessary huge burdens on the clients and witnesses, and reduced waste of time and energy.
Legislative Pillar
Putting into law, the Bago Regional Hluttaw has enacted the Regional City Development Law, and the Regional Freshwater Fisheries Law, creating job opportunities.
In line with the policy laid down by the Union Government, the Bago Regional Government has been implementing the relevant tasks such as that of the ceasefire agreement to have stability in the region; that of the emergence of democracy federal union; that of the elevating of socio-economic development of the people; that of the prevention of drug abuse; and that of the balanced development of urban and rural areas.
Peace Making
Tasks with regards to fostering pleasant relations among the national brethrens in Bago Region, many discussions and dialogues in the political sphere has been implemented and that cultural seminars are being held for Mon, Kayin, Shan, Pa-O and Kayah ethnic peoples.
With a view to have transparency and smooth functioning of the departments, the e-government practices have been established in the Bago Region and that the “Citizen’s Budget” could be downloaded through e-Bago Application for the public access.
During the third year term of the Bago Regional Government, K8660.45653 millions has been spent in 2018-2019 fiscal year on the village roads and bridges; the roads and bridges for the production sphere; the water supply projects; and the electricity generating projects.
Mya Sein Yaung village development projects remained the hot agenda in the rural areas, and that each project village has been injected with K30 millions, hitting the amount of K14,100 millions in 2018-2019 fiscal year in Bago Region.
Programs for the interests of the people
In the interest of the people, K40 millions has been spent in providing vocational trainings to 700 trainees in the first six month of 2018, and moreover, courses on bamboo handicraft arts, on motorcycle repair course, on basic sewing course, on basic electric wiring course, and household goods manufacturing course, for a total of 11 separate classes from April to September in 2018.
Similar courses and other basic courses have been imparted for 29 separate events in 2018-2019.
Ongoing short courses on vocational nature are provided in connection with the textile, fabric and weaving professions in Shwedaung Township. Total of 16 buildings and 320 apartments are in the process for the staff members and officers.
For the convenience of the people, total of 313 miles have been stretched out as appropriate and suitable roads for rural and urban population in three years period at the cost of K 26,402 millions. Other work programs totaling 1,211 projects have been utilized for K2654 millions. Water supply projects numbering 117 has been allocated with K602.68871 millions.
Reinforcement and strengthening river embankment tasks have been carried out on Kwayma Waterway (Ayeyawaddy); Sharbinkone Village Waterway (Ayeyawaddy); Ledi Village Waterway (Myitmakha River); Hlayswemyaing Village Waterway and Chaungkyoe Village Waterway (Sittaung River); Mahlwabin Village Waterway (Sittaung); Sinywar Village Waterway (Thaing Chaung) during 2018-2019.
GDP is the final value of the goods and services produced, and that K 8572 billions has been earmarked for 2018-2019 fiscal year and estimated at the GDP growth rate of (7.8) per cent based on 2015-2016 statistics.
In Bago Region, various economic sectors have been estimated in their own terms of GDP growth rate at different circumstances and conditions in 2018-2019.
In the first quarter of 2018-2019 fiscal year, K2995 billions has been spent on development projects at the implementation target of (34.9) per cent, showing improvement of (2.1) per cent than the previous year.
Linking up programs
Member Cards have been issued to 1,706 small enterprises and 247 medium-sized enterprises, totaling 1,953 cards. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) have been formed into 47 clusters, and that they have been facilitated with JICA two step loans in terns of ODA assistance.
Road Transport Administration Department is making progress in road building and construction tasks in Bago Region with the asphalt and concrete roads; the tar roads; the gravel rock roads; the designed measured double layer asphalt roads; the sand stone roads; the bridges; the box culvert construction; the bailey bridge construction; the stone embankment; the drainage; the platform; and road related tasks.
With regards to electricity supply and distribution at substations, many small MVA [MVA stands for Mega Volt Amp or Volts X Amp /1000, 000] substations have been upgraded into larger capacity units in Bago Region in 2018.
The Irrigation and Water Utilization Management Department (IWUMD) is under taking 126 tasks such as that of reform in irrigation system; that of making drainages; that of making embankment in water distribution, spending K2277 millions.
In Bago Region, a Master Plan for tourism development strategy has been in process looping in historical sites such as Kaytumadi Royal Palace and Kambawzathadi Palace.
Dams, reservoirs, large freshwater lakes and waterfalls in Bago Region are earmarked to transform into recreation resorts with the coordinated works through a committee by inviting interested investors.
There are 8 sanctuary and elephant camps in Bago Region, and that an elephant museum is on the plan to be build in Nathmawsin Valley Elephant Camp.
Electricity for the villages
Township Department of Rural Development and the people joined hands along with Talent Technology Company in providing electricity through “Solar Mini Grid” in some villages of Daik-U Township in 2018. The NEP Project is also successful in providing electricity in Tayetlane Village in Pandaung Township.
Bago Region Government also successfully carried out prevention of environment and disaster management tasks by placing sand bags in soft and breakable areas and blocking and patching the holes by spending K570 millions.
Victims of flood due to damage of Swar Chaung Dam Spillway’s have been assisted cash and kind including rebuilding of 36 houses and 76 land plots have been allocated.
Local and foreign experts have inspected a crack at the earthen embankment of the Taungnawin Dam in Paukkaung Township, and that necessary renovation has been done.
All the irrigation systems of North Nawin Dam, South Nawin Dam, Weigyi Dam, Taung Nyo Dam, and Swa Chaung Dam are being renovated with the soft loan from JICA ODA Program.
Moreover, the irrigation systems of Bawnee Dam, Taekaw Dam would also be renovated with World Bank soft loan in collaboration with Korea Rural Community Corporation.
With a view to better, proper and systematic management of irrigation system, the plan for the formation of Water User Associations (WUA) and Water User Groups (WUG) is underway, and the work is in progress. When they are functioning well, the social-economic lives of the farmers and cultivators would be elevated.
Reviewing again over the implementation of e-government, it would provide more information to the public on the works of the government; it would make the functioning of the government much swifter; it would have access to citizen’s budget through e-Bago application resulting with transparency.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) are showcasing the local produce exhibition; the contests; the knowledge sharing; the development seminars; the innovation of products and enhancing quality; and the quest for international market.
All in all, the ward and village administrators have been systematically provided and injected with practise and theory on administrative laws and the relevant laws on land management.
It is worth mentioning to praise and welcome the current functioning of Bago Regional Government during the third year term as most promising and hopeful as the entire workforce are being closely inspired and motivated to work for the greater good of the country.
By Kyaw Thu Htet, Photo by Ko Ko Soe Nyunt
Translated by UMT (Ahlon)
