REHABILITATION work in cyclone-affected areas is beginning to
gain momentum, not only in the rebuilding of homes but also in
the distribution of assistance, the chairman of Myanmar Construction
Entrepreneurs Association (MCEA) said last week.
U Khin Shwe made the comments on May 24 at a media briefing
at MCEA headquarters in Thingangyun township.
“The Prime Minister has instructed us to make greater
rehabilitation efforts in the delta region, not only in rebuilding
solid infrastructure like schools and hospitals, but also in relief
efforts such as donating milk powder to victims,” he said.
A total of 31 construction companies are undertaking rehabilitation
work in the delta.
‘’Even though losses in Yangon amount to some K2
billion, this is not as urgent as helping victims in the disaster
area. That’s why we’ve stopped all Yangon projects
and concentrated on humanitarian assistance,” he added,
speaking as a representative of the Zay Gabar Company, which is
involved in rehabilitation works.
U Ko Ko Htwe, chairman of Taw Win Family Co Ltd and secretary
of the Nargis relief project said: “We gave five mobile
phones to each of the construction companies responsible for disaster
relief. We also arranged for the timely delivery of construction
materials like iron sheets, nails and wood.
“Unfortunately, the price of roofing nails has gone up.
We bought from outside shops for a while but we managed to produce
4 tonnes of roofing nails at the Ywama steel factory in Insein
township and can provide timely supplies to the disaster region,”
he said.
U Ko Ko Htwe said he hoped school reconstruction would be complete
by June 2.
“We’re giving top priority to schools and hospitals
and now almost all the schools in the disaster region are complete
except for a few buildings that were severely damaged, or have
totally collapsed,” he said on May 24.
In Pyapon, the second most severely damaged region after Bogale,
rehabilitation work is being carried out under the management
of the Minister for Hotels and Tourism, Major General Soe Naing.
“So far, we’ve finished 70 percent of the reconstruction
here and spent over K200 million for relief projects in Pyapon,”
said Lt Col Aung Zaw Win, deputy director of the ministry and
general manager of the Nargis relief project at Pyapon.
According to his figures, 95pc of the houses were destroyed
by the cyclone there.
At Pyapon, out of 46,028 houses, a total of 43,726 were damaged;
and 227 schools were ruined. In Bogale the numbers were 52,701
houses and 383 schools.
Yangon-based construc-tion firms are also operating in other
affected areas in the southern Ayeyarwady delta, including Kyai
Latt, Pyapon, Bogale and Dadaye.
At Kyai Latt township, 72 miles (115 kilometres) from Yangon,
reconstruction is handled by Maung Weik & Family Company,
and at Pyapon three companies – Yuzana, Pyae Phyo Kyaw and
Dagon International – are working together. Htoo Trading
and Diamond Mercury are covering Bogale, and Ayedin is responsible
for Dadaye.
Maung Weik’s general manager, U Than Htike San, who is
responsible for relief projects at Kyai Latt township, said: “So
far we’ve spent over K100 million for reconstruction and
have a force of 200 labourers.”
Shine Construction, which is responsible for repairing damage
to 90 government schools at Dala and Seik Kyi Kanaungto townships
in Yangon Division, also expect to meet their deadline for completion.
“We’ve been repairing cyclone damage at Dala and
Seik Kyi Kanaungto townships since May 14 and expect to be finished
by June 2,” said the company’s managing director,
U Aung Zaw Win, on May 23.
“There are 73 schools in Dala and 17 in Seik Kyi Kanaungto
and all are half finished now,” he said. “We’ve
stopped all Yangon construction projects for the time being to
build momentum for rehabilita-tion in disaster areas.”
Shine is also responsible for repairing 33 government offices,
four hospitals and 13 regional clinics at the area.
