Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, SAC Joint Secretary and his wife, council members, Union ministers, and senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, yesterday morning, inspected loss and damage in the incident of the powerful earthquake in Sagaing and ongoing rehabilitation process.
At Myat Private High School damaged by the earthquake, the Senior General viewed the clearing of debris and gave guidance to the rescue teams and officials.
At No 1 Basic Education High School, the Senior General inspected the damage to the school building and instructed officials to systematically verify loss and damage and repair them as much as possible. If not, dangerous buildings must be demolished. Officials need to supervise and repair appropriate buildings to be ready to use before the school opening period.
On arrival at Sagaing General Hospital, the Senior General inspected healthcare services provided to the injured people, a teacher who was trapped in the collapsed building for six days and other patients and comforted them. He also presented cash assistance to those injured and cash awards to health staff.
At Athinkgaya Avenue of Sagaing Region government, the Senior General heard reports by Sagaing Region Chief Minister U Myat Kyaw on fatalities and injuries in the earthquake, loss and damage of religious, education and health buildings, roads and bridges, efforts of Tatmadaw members, Myanmar Police Force members, firefighters, Red Cross members and foreign rescue teams in rescue and relief operations, and clearing of debris.
In his response, the Senior General said that cash assistance would be provided for all loss and damage in the earthquake, and it is necessary to share the cash assistance with the deserved areas. The Senior General stressed the need to repair damaged roads and bridges in relevant sections. The government will provide necessary construction materials for the reconstruction of private buildings as much as possible. Hence, all have to expedite efforts for rehabilitation and reconstruction projects with might and main to shape Sagaing as a better city.
The Senior General assessed the destruction at the Moza water supply station on Strand Road in Minlan Ward and examined the damage to the main road axis.
At the Sakuhmaw relief camp, the Senior General looked into relief measures and healthcare services for the earthquake victims and fulfilled the needs of officials. He cordially greeted volunteers from Sagaing and gave words of appreciation. From the precinct of Sakuhmaw Monastery, he viewed the collapse of the Sagaing Bridge (Inwa) and gave instructions to officials to repair the bridge as quickly as possible. In the meeting with members of the Malaysian rescue team which is conducting rescue and relief operations in Sagaing, the Senior General spoke words of appreciation for team leader Mr Hasizul who clarified rescue and relief measures. The Senior General cordially greeted Malaysian rescuers individually and presented gifts and a fruit basket to them.
The Senior General viewed round clearing of debris at Laykyunmyay Okkyaung monastery, Thakyadita nunnery, SoonU Ponnyashin Pagoda and Yadana Theingi nunnery and instructed officials to rebuild religious edifices in their original states. He then presented cash awards to rescuers.
At Sitagu Meditation Monastery, the Senior General paid homage to State Ovadacariya 16th Shwegyin Sangharaja Chancellor of Sitagu International Buddhist Academies Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru Abhidhaja Aggamaha Saddhammajotikadhaja Dr Bhaddanta Nyanissara and donated K50 million and alms to be spent on renovation of damaged pagodas where sacres relics of the Lord Buddha are kept. He shared merits dedicated to monks, nuns and people who lost life in the earthquake.
After inspecting the damaged Sitagu Sangha Sannipata monastery, the Senior General instructed officials to reconstruct the building as quickly as possible. He also inspected the change in the primary axis of the earthquake-affected road in Thawtapan Ward, Sagaing, and gave instructions.
In Yaingtan Ward of Sagaing, the Senior General reviewed the renovation work of Mahazedi Pagoda and instructed officials to conduct renovation meeting the criteria to ensure the long-term existence of the structure.
The Senior General and his entourage crossed the Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon) by car to oversee its maintenance. — MNA/TTA
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