Local people have to produce coffee and tea as primary products of the Naga region, said State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the special meeting on the development of the Naga Self-Administered Zone at Malatang Gymnasium in Lahe of the zone yesterday morning.
Reports on regional facts, development measures and needs for regional development
The Sagaing Region Chief Minister reported on assistance for the Naga region in financial years to have development, the contribution of solar panels to electrify rural regions, provisions for transforming croplands into farmlands, disbursement of loans from the State economic development fund for the development of Naga region and operation of MSMEs and Naga Self-Administered Zone Administration Body Chairman U Tun Tun Win on the issuance of citizenship scrutiny cards, undertakings of agriculture and livestock farms.
Officials of Naga Traditional Literature and Culture Committees of Lahe, Leshi and Nanyun townships reported on requirements of fulfilment on land plots for holding Naga traditional festivals, education, sports, communications and transport sectors.
Supplementary discussions over reports
In his discussions, the Senior General pledged to build a stadium in the Naga region. He stressed the need to consider damming rivers and creeks for storing water to be used in generating electricity. It is necessary to complete the Chindwin Bridge (Htamathi) and the asphalt road to Htamathi before the 2025 Naga Traditional New Year Festival. An earthen road linking Leshi and Lahe will be improved, and a high school where agriculture, livestock breeding and mechanical techniques will be given to the students will be opened in the Naga region and then it will be upgraded to the institute.
Operations of MSME and requirements
Local businesspersons reported on their efforts to export domestic products, needs of electricity, manufacturing traditional products and textile works, and extension of MSME businesses.
Response to reports in relevant sectors
Union ministers discussed plans of relevant ministries to provide necessary capital and techniques to agriculture and livestock farms, conducting feasibility studies for generating electricity, promoting education qualification in the region, healthcare services and deployment of basic health staff in the region.
Requirements of discussions to develop the region
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said that the Naga region is difficult to extend sown acreage as it is a hilly region. Hence, local people are to strive for increasing per-acre yield of paddy as well as conjac. He urged all to cultivate paddy on highland farmlands for ensuring local food sufficiency. Agriculture and livestock farms need to have quality strains of crops and animals with the sufficiency of feedstuffs.
The Senior General pointed out that encouragement must be given to manufacturing the products in long run. Local people have to produce coffee and tea as primary products of the Naga region. Likewise, it is necessary to grow oranges and other crops to increase products. The government will emphasize the further improvement of road transport, he added.
Health and Education
The Senior General highlighted that manufacturing can help earn incomes which will contribute to the economic development of locals and the region. Military medical officers were assigned duties to serve at station hospitals and dispensaries in remote areas of Sagaing Region, Chin State and Naga Self-Administered Zone. In learning education, the Naga region faces the needs of the education sector. All students must complete at least a middle school education. As arrangements will be made for the improvement of the education sector in the Naga region, all local people are to nurture their offspring to be educated persons.
Striving for electricity sufficiency in the Naga region
A plan is underway to generate hydropower in Lahe, Leshi and Nanyun regions. To undertake development tasks, the government needs money. So, if all regions manufacture products, they will earn income for the State. As the government will provide necessary assistance for agriculture and livestock farms as well as manufacturing industries, all people are to try hard to develop these industries.
The Senior General presented gifts for departmental officials to local authorities and cordially greeted attendees.
The Senior General then inspected the situation to upgrade the sports ground in Lahe to a standardized stadium. — MNA/TTA
