Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong yesterday journeyed to Ngainachaleun village in Sangthong district, Vientiane to meet and discuss with district authorities and local people the village’s development plans.

The high-level delegation which accompanied him included the Minister and Head of the Government’s Office, Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Vilayvanh Phamkhe, and the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr Sommad Pholsena.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mrs Khemmani Pholsena, and Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr Bounthavy Sisouphanthong, also attended the discussions.

People in the new Ngainachaleun village have come from the three former villages of Naleud, Nathiem and Namieng. The new village is now preparing to develop from its present identity to become a new town in the future.

District Governor, Mr Bounthieng Khounsy, told the Prime Minister and his delegation that Ngainachaleun village is suitable for development into a small town as it’s located in a central area within the district where many roads intersect.

In order to turn it into a small town, people in the village have suggested the government helps by providing funds for the building of a water supply system at a cost of 3.5 billion kip, the construction of spring water channels for growing crops in the dry season, providing agricultural technicians and building a community market and hospital.

Mr Sommad told the authorities and local people that Ngainachaleun village currently has over 1,000 inhabitants, and he suggested that the village may be able to obtain water from the main town in Sangthong district.

Staff from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport will be sent to help district authorities create a design map of the small town.

Sangthong is one of the poorest districts in Vientiane, but now each person has about 700 kg of rice per year so they are no longer facing food shortages.

“I congratulate the people in the district as they have enough rice to eat all year round, given that the standard rate of consumption is about 300 kg per person per year,” Mr Vilayvanh said.

“Over 37 years ago, most Lao people preferred to eat sticky rice and its production was sufficient for the needs of the people but we wanted the farmers to grow more normal rice varieties for sale because buyers from overseas are looking for these types of rice.”

Dr Sinlavong commented that in the future the Sangthong area will become a sought-after place to live for people wishing to resettle from the heart of the city, where housing is congested and expensive, and for others coming in from rural areas.

Prime Minister Thongsing advised that the district authorities are right to work for the development of the district but he emphasised that authorities should also concentrate on helping people to develop according to the Sam Sang (three builds) directive.

“They should work more closely with the people to clarify the nature of the three builds so that the people understand it better,” he said.

Source: Vientiane Times
July 04, 2013