Two townships in Rakhine State get 24-hour power supply

 October 29, 2017

A 33/11 KV5MVA sub-power station in Rakhine State has been supplying electricity to Myebon and Pauktaw round the clock since the first week of this month even before the ceremonial commissioning of the facility that will be in the early November.

The news team interviewed the officials of the Electricity and Energy Ministry

U Myint Maung, Superintending Engineer Nay Pyi Taw HQ

We face a lot of difficulties in installing power lines to Myebon and Pauktaw townships as they are located on the coastline. We are happy as we could overcome all the difficulties including poor transportation, harsh weather and labour shortage in providing electricity for locals.

In the past there was a diesel power-distribution generator. The government permitted the project for community peace and social progress. Thanks to the cooperation of the locals and officials, we could achieve the goal amidst the many difficulties.

U Win Hlaing, Head of Myebon Township Electricity Department

The national grid is provid ing power to Myebon beginning 1 October. In the past we used generators that could supply power under time limits. Now we are providing power to over 1100 households of the nine wards in Myebon. Five villages will get power before the fiscal 2017-2018.

Because of the terrain that is divided with many natural streams, we are going to provide power to 20 villages within a three-year period.

U Nyi Htwe, Headmaster Myebon Basic Education High School

Life was so hard when there was no electricity. Even duplicating a copy of a letter needed the ignition of the generator. So it was very difficult to do the office works then. Now we have roundthe-clock electricity. It facilitates the office work and the learning process.

Students now can learn their lessons individually or in groups at night. Electricity has improved the social lives of the locals, apart from the progress in health and education sectors.

U Aung Myint, townselder Myebon

The whole town was very happy when the 24-hour power distribution started. Electricity has ensured convenience for all the families, businesses and students of the town. As there is electricity there is no more depletion of mangrove forest as people do not need to cut woods for fuel. We have never dreamt of it. Now we are happy.

Ma Pan Nu Wai Matriculation student

In the past, we faced difficulties in learning our lessons. We are all happy as there is 24-hour power supply in the town.

U Kyaw Myo Win Head of Pauktaw Township Electricity Department

Power is flowing into Pauktaw from the national grid on 2 October this year. We faced the harsh weather conditions in installing the power line to Pauktaw. As the ground is soft, erection of posts was also a hard job. In the past our department supply power for four hours and the power supply committee over one hours every day. Now we have 24-hour electricity.

Currently we are providing power for 976 households of the five Wards of Pauktaw. The remaining households will get power soon.

Daw Saw Yin Oo Basic education teacher, Pauktaw

The 24-hour power supply facilitates our daily work. Students now can learn their lessons without difficulties. In the past children could learn their lessons only when the power supply was on. Household work has also become easier now. We thank the officials concerned for 24-hour power supply.

U Tun Wai, townselder Pauktaw

Truly, there is social progress due to 24-hour power supply. In the past generators could supply power for only three to four hours daily. The townspeople were facing hardships. Now we don’t need to rely on charcoal for cooking. People of the town are also happy.

U Kyaw Win Gyi, secretary of a religious association Pauktaw

There was only part-time power distribution for the town in the past. We are happy as the national grind is supplying power for us round the clock. We feel extremely happy when we know that even the villages will get electricity. We thank officials concerned for the continuous power supply. Power supply has facilitated the health and education sectors.

The dream of the ethnic natives of Pauktaw and Myebon has come true thanks to the 24-hour power supply.

Interviewers: Aung Kyaw Oo and Han Lin Naing Photos; Nay Thit Oo

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar