Pyapon of Ayeyawady Division rising with renewed vigour

We mediamen recently made a trip to Pyapon inAyeyawady Division to present news about regionaldevelopment and businesses of local people for publicinformation.Along the road to Pyapon, about 17 miles fromDedaye, were thriving paddy fields, some were greenish,
and some, yellowish.Besides agricultural farming, the main business,local people ran livestock farms of pigs, chicken,goat, duck and fish both on a manageable scale andon a commercial scale.
Rehabilitation work in the storm-hit areas iscategorized into three phases. The first phaseofrescue tasks such as fulfillment of three basic needs,health care and evacuation has been completed. Thesecond phase: regeneration of devastated urban areasand villages, restoration of businesses, and repairingtransport facilities, and the third phase: establishment
of storm shelters are in progress. In the process, tasks are being carried out according to the targeted timeframes. Pessimists seem anxious to see storm victims waiting for relief supplies along the roads, and they are not happy with the programmes of rehabilitating the storm-ravaged areas, and restoration of businesses for the victims’ long-term convenience in their basic needs. They have done nothing to relieve the sufferings of the victims, but are resorting to various means to disrupt the tasks the government is implementing to fulfil the requirements of the people. Now, delta dwellers have made a good recovery from the storm thanks to the combined efforts of the government, the people and the Tatmadaw, relief aid provided by national entrepreneurs, and their hard work and unwavering spirit. When asked about progress in carrying out rehabilitation tasks, Chairman of Pyapon District Peace and Development
Council U Mya Kyaing said, “Now, we have restored all the agricultural farms and fishing
in the district, and transport of rice and marine products to Yangon and other townships has returned to normal. We are working hard for the salt farming to return to normal when it is in season. “To restore the agricultural sector, we have distributed 245,725 baskets of paddy seeds of highyield strains, 56,800 gallons of fuel, 320 pieces of power-tillers of Leya-22, Leya-16 and Ayeya-1 brands, 393 buffalos, 130 oxen, and different kinds of fertilizers. And we have provided small loans of 462.6 million kyats to 6946 farmers for 57,825 acres of farmlands. “As a result, 197,761 acres or over 97 per cent of targeted 203,830 acres have been put under monsoon
paddy in the 2008-2009. We are working hard to complete the growing of monsoon paddy in the remaining acres. Now, 23 rice mills of above 15 tons and 182 horlers have resumed their production lines. “We have distributed 1000 fishing boats, 388 engines, and fishing nets and equipment in Pyapon Township. “Victims in the township have been able to restore their businesses. Rehabilitation tasks have showed successful. So, I would say all the urban
areas and villages in Pyapon Township have returned to normal. “The government has provided local farmers with food that is enough till paddy is harvested. So, there is no need to be worried about food in the interval. Paddy will be in season soon.” Farmer Maung Wa Gyi of Kyonku Village in Pyapon said, “I have run my farms since I was 18. Now, I grow Hsinthwelat strain paddy in 10 acres, and Pawhsan strain paddy, in five acres. As you see, paddy plants are now in fruit. Paddy fields did not turn bad as much as we thought. I have received 20 baskets of paddy seeds and 30 gallons of fuel provided by the government. The government also provided
fertilizer, power-tillers, and cattle. Farmers around our village have also got a lot of assistance for their agricultural farming. I have learnt that their paddy fields are thriving.” Pyapon District Assistant Engineer In Charge U Myo Zaw Oo of Pyapon Auto Exchange of the Myanma Posts and Telecommunications said, “Pyapon Auto Exchange has been resumed since 10 am on 6 May. Almost all the phone lines were restored in one month after the storm. Few days ago,
the underground cable cracked and it got some water in it. So, 29 of the 120 phone lines in Pyapon did not work. Some cables were replaced with new ones and some were repaired. Now, all the 750 phone lines in Pyapon Township are in good condition.” We stayed there for the night. We went shopping in the centre of the town that evening. In response to my question, a shop owner said, “The shops here are not as busy as in the pre-storm period because the
government and local and foreign donors have provided the victims with a lot of relief supplies. So, they no longer need to come here to go shopping. Before the storm, they often came here to buy things they needed. So, trade was very good then.” On our way home from Pyapon, we saw many rice mills along the road with their chimneys producing smoke. Now, local people have restored their businesses and started a new life. Pyapon Pawhsanhmwe strain paddy will soon be in season to maintain good reputation for its sweet smell and excellent taste.