May 12, 2018
The Office of the Union Supreme Court, the Ministry of Border Affairs and the Ministry of Electricity and Energy held a press conference jointly on the three institutions’ performance in the second year in office at the Ministry of Information yesterday.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister for Information U Aung Hla Tun said ministries, understanding the importance of the right of access to information, are planning to form media committees to quickly respond to queries raised by journalists.
The ministries were also coordinating to put their performances on their websites for timely public notice, said U Aung Hla Tun.
The Ministry of Information made arrangements for media trips as much as possible to conflict areas, and also recognised that there are still unrealised requirements to meet journalists’ wishes.
The Deputy Minister also disclosed that the ministry was reviewing laws which are believed to cause hindrances to press freedom in the county, adding that some would be revoked or renewed if necessary.
He also expressed the ministry’s commitment to holding press conferences regularly.
Plans are underway to generate 3,000 MW in three years to fulfill local deficiency
The Ministry of Electricity and Energy plans to produce 3,000 megawatts of electricity within three years to fulfil the domestic need for power, said Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Electricity and Energy U Tin Maung Oo.
“To meet the target of 3,000 megawatts, necessary measures including engineering and design works are being undertaken. Surveys are also jointly being carried out with the maritime transportation department to transport LNG (liquid natural gas) by ship,” said the Permanent Secretary of the ministry at the press conference.
Total company from France and Siemens AG from Germany are working together on implementing the LNG-to-Power project in Kanpauk area in Taninthayi Region to produce 1,230 megawatts, while Zhefu Holding Group Co Ltd and Supreme Trading Co Ltd from Myanmar are also implementing a LNG-to-Power project in Milaunggyaing area in Ayeyawady Region to produce 1,390 megawatts.
Meanwhile, the LNG-to-Power project in Ahlon, Yangon Region, being implemented by TTCL Public Company Limited Company, is expected to produce 356 megawatts and a gas-fired and waste-to-energy plant project being implemented by Sinohydro Corporation Limited from China and Supreme Trading Co Ltd from Myanmar in Kyaukpyu, Rakhine State, is expected to produce 135 megawatts upon completion, according to the Ministry of Electricity and Energy.
Myanmar has the potential to produce 40,000 MW of hydroelectricity.
“Generating hydroelectricity is a long-term plan. At the moment, we cannot yet produce electricity from coal-fired plants. We need to articulate it to the people. We will produce the electricity from coal-fired technology when the people understand it,” said U Tin Maung Oo.
Due to the nationwide electrification project, about 40 per cent of the country’s rural population have access to electricity today, according to the ministry.
Supreme-Court of the Union
Regarding the performance of the Supreme-Court of the Union over second year in office, U Ko Ko Naing, Director-General of the Union Supreme-Court, said the code of conducts for judiciary sector was released in August, 2017, Annual Court Report for 2016 was released in 2017 and the second annual court report for 2017 in May, 2018.
Some of the objective of the reports is for public transparency of judicial accountability, quantity justice, quality justice and highlighting the changes and challenges in reinforcing the judiciary sector.
The annual court reports are available at the www.unionsupremecourt.gov.mm.
The Supreme-Court of the Union also released a manual handbook for media and promoted rights of access to information for media at courts.
Daw Tin Nwe Soe, Director-General of the Supreme Court of the Union, explained the reforms being carried out by the Supreme-Court of the Union, disclosing that the Supreme-Court of the Union is implementing the new strategy for judiciary sector 2018-2022.
As the completion of settlements at courts reached about 96 percent nationwide and crime management program will be launched at courts nationwide, she added.
She also explained reforms at courts, amendment of laws, and promoting human rights at prisons and correctional departments.
Ministry of Border Affairs
Following her explanation, U Sai Tun Nyo, Assistant Permanent-Secretary of Ministry of Border Affairs said the ministry constructed the Magwayza-Khaunglanphu Road in Naungmon Township, Kachin State in the second year term and would upgrade the road sections on the Magwayza-Ngalondam and Ngalondam-Ridam roads to gravel ones. The ministry also opened four vocational training schools, conferring completion sertificates on 150 women.
Besides, the ministry arranged excursion trips for the ethnic youths in rural areas.