Thanlwin Bridge (Chaungzon) was renamed in accord with the wish of local people focusing on national unity, said Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the ceremony to unveil the signboard of the bridge yesterday morning.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said the bridge was built in 2010-2015 in the first democratic government for the development of the township. In the 2014-2015 financial year, K3,700 million was spent on the construction of the approach roads and land preparation. And K20,000 million was spent on the structure of the bridge in 2015-2016FY and K31,360 million in 2016-2017FY.
The 1,586 metres long bridge linking Mawlamyine and Chaungzon was commissioned into service on 9 May 2017. It was found that the previous government focused on the inauguration of this bridge under the title of Bogyoke Aung San Bridge instead of the original title intending to polish the image of their party. As objections were aloud for changing of bridge title, the nomination of the bridge was submitted to the Hluttaw to seek approvals which had never happened in Myanmar history. But, the ruling party marched forward the giving of bridge title based on the larger strength of Hluttaw representatives and twist in democracy.
A total of 14 political parties announced statements that the title of the bridge would not contribute to national reconciliation and can harm national unity and requested the ruling party to review the event. Although the previous government entitled the bridge as Bogyoke Aung San Bridge, setting aside the wish of the local people, today, the bridge was renamed as Thanlwin Bridge (Chaungzon) in line with the wish of the local people.
The State Administration Council, as well as the Tatmadaw, has granted all for building the Union based on democracy and federalism. The Senior General urged all to effectively utilize Thanlwin Bridge (Chaungzon) for the development of all sectors such as economic, social and health affairs. All the national people need to strive for serving the interests of the State with the spirit “We are Myanmar” so as to gain momentum in peace and stability and development of the region.
Chairman of Mon State Administration Council U Zaw Lin Tun expressed a great thank on behalf of the local ethnic national people to the State Administration Council for renaming the facility as Thanlwin Bridge (Chaungzon).
Then, the Senior General and party strolled along the bridge and instructed officials to maintain the long-term existence of the bridge. The Senior General cordially greeted local ethnic national people who presented traditional dances. —MNA
