Deputy Construction Minister Kyaw Lin has called on the government to strive for the release of staff members from road and bridge construction sites detained in Rakhine State by armed groups.

The deputy minister replied to the question raised by the lower house MP Aung Kyaw Zan from Pauktaw Township Constituency at Lower House Parliament in November, about the reason why the ministry was unable to implement Kalardan river crossing bridge in 2016-2017 FY. 

“The ministry is marking efforts as better transportation plays an important role in the development of Rakhine State. The ministry assigns the duties to the staff by giving them an incentive that they can move to other places after the completion of their duties. Currently, the ministry is building Yarmaung bridge with its staff. Likewise, our staff are engaged in the construction of 18-ft concrete roads in MraukU Township, Kyaw Lin added. 

On January 17, 2019, Tin Min Htike, a skilled worker from the Construction Ministry, was abducted by insurgents from the bridge construction site on Buthidaung road near Yathaedaung Township. 

“On October 26, bridge engineer Kyaw Zin Tun was abducted from Shwenadi vessel. The insurgent group has not set him free till date. His old mother and three-year-old son have to rely on him,” he continued. 

The ministry will strive for development of Rakhine State even though its construction works in Rakhine State face challenges and difficulties.

The ministry has to train Kyaw Zin Tun and Tin Min Htike for many years to become an engineer.  The ministry cannot replace them with fresh graduates easily. I would like to request all to make efforts for the freeing of victims, he added.