The second Pyithu Hluttaw sixth regular session ended after its 16th day meeting was held yesterday morning in Pyithu Hluttaw meeting hall.
Replying to a question by U Tin Ko Ko Oo of Bilin constituency on arrangements made for road and bridge construction works to obtain adequate engineering, machinery, expert workers, completion on schedule and standards, Deputy Minister for Construction U Kyaw Lin said when Ministry of Construction conduct road and bridge works, quality assurance teams are formed to inspect the construction group and quality of the materials used. In addition to inspection by the ministry, the auditor general’s office also conducts inspections of the records as well as field inspection. Coordination letters were sent to states and regions chief ministers to implement a Third Party system in 2017-2018 fiscal years. At the present moment, there are no firm institutions to conduct Third Party system and Chief Ministers were informed of assigning this duty to Myanmar International Consultant Engineering Group, a chapter under Myanmar Engineering Society. Furthermore committees were formed for responsible officials to manage a timely receipt and full usage of materials in the work sites.
A design team from the road and bridge department designed the work after conducting a field visit and works were conducted according to the design. Arrangements and instructions were made to responsible engineers so that they can have the reserve funds, estimates and designs shown for inspection. Next, U Kyaw Aung Lwin of Sedoktara constituency raised a question on plans to construct an all-weather earth road connecting Phyingyi Village, Sedoktara Township with Ngaphe-Sedokatara-Saw district connecting road. Deputy Minister for Construction U Kyaw Lin answered that the road connecting to the district connecting road is 6 miles, 2 furlong long and due to the poor quality of the earth along the route of the road, earthwork will be costly. Budget for this road will be requested for this road starting from FY 2018-2019 and depending upon budget allocation, it will be conducted explained the Deputy Minister.
Other questions by U Maung Maung of Htigyaing constituency, U Nyan Hein of Thanbyuzayat constituency and Daw Cho ChoWin of Mawlaik constituency were also answered by Deputy Minister for Construction U Kyaw Lin. A motion by Dr. Daw Thet Thet Khine of Dagon constituency urging the government to inform the public transparently about the incomes from extractive sector and put into the union budget fully as suggested by Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) to which Myanmar was admitted as a Candidate in 2014 was then discussed by U Oo Hla Saw of MraukU constituency, U Naing Htoo Aung of Natogyi constituency, U Bo Gyi of Chauk constituency, Dr.Daw Khin Sithu of Loikaw constituency, U Tint Soe of Hpakant constituency, U Lwin Ko Latt of Thanlyin constituency and U Kan Myint of Thayet constituency.
In his discussion on the motion, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Ohn Win said a tripartite group consisting of 7 government representatives, 7 private sector representatives and 9 civil society organisations representatives totaling 23 representatives was formed to publish EITI report and work according to set standards and criteria.
Deputy Minister for Planning and Finance is assigned as a chairman and a retired director general from Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation as an expert is assigned as a vice-chairman in the group.
A report is to be submitted by 2018 March and the report will include incomes from oil and natural gas sector, mining sector, jade and gem sectors for 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 fiscal years. In an earlier report, income for jade and gem include only the income from emporium and in this report it will include mine mouth tax as well as all incomes from jade and gem sector. Scoping study is to be conducted on forest sector income and work conducted and if it is concluded in time, it will be included in the report as an annex. It is also agreed to work toward including facts on Myanmar pearl production and trade as preliminary finding.
Once the report is confirmed the public will be informed transparently through press conferences. Work will be conducted by accepting advises and suggestions. As works will be done according to standards and norms set in 2016 EITI Standard, the Union Minister explained for the motion to be put on record.
Deputy Minister for Planning and Finance U Maung Maung Win also explained about the motion. Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Ohn Win and Deputy Minister for Planning and Finance U Maung Maung Win then submitted to the Hluttaw to put the motion on record and Dr. Daw Thet Thet Khine of Dagon constituency who tabled the motion submitted to confirm the motion.
Due to differences in opinion, the motion was decided by vote. As 325 were for the motion, 68 were against and 3 abstain, Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker U Win Myint announced the confirmation of the motion.
Reference: GNLM