Vice President U Henry Van Thio, who is the Chairman of the National Water Resources Committee (NWRC) attended and addressed the NWRC coordination meeting 2/2019 held at the Presidential Palace meeting hall, Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.
 

The meeting was attended by NWRC Vice Chairman Union Minister U Thant Sin Maung, committee members Union Ministers Lt-Gen Ye Aung and U Soe Win, Deputy Ministers, state/region ministers, Permanent Secretaries, directors general and departmental officials, officials from Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay City Development Committees, NWRC advisory group chairman and members.

In addressing the meeting Committee Chairman Vice President U Henry Van Thio said that after NWRC was formed coordination meetings were held to develop water and related sectors, effectively manage and use water resources, support effective and beneficial cooperation with international organizations and coordinating on future works. This is the tenth such meeting.

Through the coordination meetings coordination works between water related ministerial departments and organizations, effective coordination in implementing the committee’s work processes and resolution of water related problems were conducted. As the raining season is beginning, preparation works to prevent and mitigate flooding and inundation are required to be made.

In doing this, in addition to Early Warning system, rescue and relief works, works on capacity building of relevant personnel, informing and educating the public were to be conducted while preparation for any disease outbreak related to flooding and inundation had to be made.

Representatives from state/region governments were to coordinate with ministerial departments on works conducted and to include in the discussion if there are any requirements.

NWRC and water related ministerial departments and organizations were enthusiastically conducting works for water sector development and were participating in the best way in international and regional cooperation works.

Relevant ministerial departments that are focal in projects and studies conducted in cooperation with the Netherlands, Australia, Japan, China, Korea, Norway, France and international organizations like World Bank and ADB are required to conduct their works effectively and without delay.

On the other hand, such projects and studies also need to be truly effective and beneficial to our country and the majority of our people. Cost and benefit need to be reviewed. Data and information on water is required to be systematically shared among ministries and departments.

Massive amount of funds were used annually by the State for development in urban and rural region and in water as well as in all sectors. Ministerial departments, organizations and officials responsible to implement the project works are to effectively use the State funds and systematically manage it according to laws, financial regulations, instructions and guidelines.

Majority of the decisions made at earlier coordination meetings were implemented and the remainders need to be implemented too. A Task Force was formed to draft a National Water Law and all are urged to cooperate and work towards completing it on time in 2020. Coordination works between ministerial departments and requirements are to be raised.

In conclusion the committee and committee members from related ministerial departments and organizations and representatives are to enthusiastically discuss and suggest on conducting water related works, cooperating with international organizations and coordinating with ministerial departments and organizations. Relevant ministerial departments and organizations were required to successfully implement an all-round water resource management system that was beneficial for the country and the people and to successfully implement the duty and responsibility and future work processes of the committee said the Vice President.

Next, committee Vice Chairman Union Minister for Transport and Communications U Thant Sin Maung explained about all round project works for water resources development, cooperation with international organizations and coordination and implementation works to mitigate water related natural disaster.

Afterwards committee joint secretary Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems acting Director-General U Win Hlaing explained about works conducted by the committee.

Following this, Union Ministers Lt-Gen Ye Aung and U Soe Win, Deputy Ministers U Tin Myint and Dr Ye Myint Swe, Yangon mayor, state/region ministers, Permanent Secretaries and officials explained about various water related works conducted.

NWRC Advisory Group Chairman U Cho Cho and secretary Dr Daw Khin Ni Ni Thein then explained about drafting National Water Law and the work of the advisory group.

After meeting attendees suggested on future works of NWRC and development of water related works, meeting attendees decided and approved matters the committee need to decide and approve.

In his concluding speech the Vice President said effective results will be achieved for the country after NWRC’s water resources and all round water management centre is established. The meeting came to came to close after the Vice President urges responsible officials to work together toward the success of all round water resources management works.— MNA

(Translated by Zaw Min)