UXOs still barriers socio-economic development

(KPL) The unexploded ordnances (UXOs), a legacy of Indochina war, are a barrier in socio-economic development and poverty reduction programme is being run in 47 poorest districts nationwide.
This was said by Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Mme Onchanh Thammavong at the Safe Path Forward National Strategy Plan for the UXO Programme (2003-20013) Review and Revision Workshop took place on 20 May, Vientiane.
An 80-per cent of total population is farmers and they rely on agriculture production so the development of lands for agriculture production is very difficult due to UXOs.
Regarding to this issue, Minister Onchanh urged local people countrywide to pay closely cooperation with sector concerned, particularly UXOs clearance team in localities so as to get rid of UXOs and achieve the Government’s goal on poverty reduction programme.
The workshop assessed the previous works and weak points to facilitate management and implementation of national strategy of UXOs clearance and to achieve the government plan on poverty reduction programme.
“Therefore we should create more facility to the infrastructure development in different areas of UXOs clearance work,” she continued. “The UXOs is also recessive the growth of socio-economic development”.
“Along with Lao PDR, least developed country lacks fund for UXOs clearance mission, it is necessary to be further supported from overseas,” she urged.
She assessed that large number of Lao people are farmers and still suffer expansion of agriculture production areas.
The workshop focused on improving poverty reduction along with UXOs clearance action plan by concentrating on 47 poorest districts.