Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Lieutenant General Douangchay Phichit urged officials to accelerate work in a village being built to house recently returned illegal Lao migrants from Thailand.
Lieutenant General Douangchay Phichit leads officials to see the gravity-fed water system and enquire about people's living conditions.
Lieutenant General Douangchay, his delegates and local media on Saturday travelled from Vientiane to Phonkham village in Borikhan district, Borikhamxay province, to witness first hand developments in the government-sponsored resettlement village.
During talks with the officials in charge, the deputy premier instructed them to help the returnees speed up the building of their houses so they could get on with rice farming.
“Rice growing must catch up with the planting season. If we are slow to build the houses, people won't be able to start planting rice in good time and they will miss the rains,” he told officials.
“Construction of infrastructure such as roads and electricity should be finished by April before the rainy season sets in. If this work is not finished in time, the rains will cause problems for construction.”
He asked officials to check whether the villagers had enough household equipment and to identify those who still needed more.
Lieutenant General Douangchay also gave advice on the structure of the village's administrative body. He called for continuous education of the people on Party and government policy, and to make them aware of the tactics employed by subversive elements.
In response to a request from officials, the deputy premier suggested they present a clear plan to the government concerning their further needs, including their budget and other requirements.
The village is home to more than 600 families of 3,452 people including 2,923 returnees in 499 families who came back from Thailand , officials reported.
So far, some 452 out of the planned 601 houses have been built, according to a report from officials in charge, with all of the houses to be finished by February 20.
Hundred of soldiers are involved in helping the newcomers to build houses, clear land for planting, and other work in the village.
It is planned that each family grow at least one hectare of upland rice (khao hai) this season, with expansion expected later on, officials said, adding that rice seeds have been distributed to farmers.
All facilities in the village are scheduled for completion before the rainy season. The construction of artesian wells and gravity-fed water systems is already complete.
Villagers have been given a one-year supply of rice and money to cover their daily living costs. They are also allowed to use electricity free of charge for one year, once the village is connected to the electricity grid. The village also has a market now.
During talks with villagers, the deputy premier urged them to apply themselves to making a living and add their own contribution to government support.
He toured the village to inspect progress in all areas of work and enquired about residents' living conditions.
By Times Reporters
(Latest Update February 15, 2010)
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Topic: Minister calls for faster progress in resettlement village (Read 433 times)
