Vientiane province streamlines administration

The government will announce the formation of a new district, to be known as Meun district, in Vientiane province to streamline public service administration.

The announcement is expected to be made at the beginning of this month. The new district will consist of 23 villages, involving the merging of 16 villages in Meuangfeuang district and seven villages in Xanakham district.

Provincial Governor Khammeung Phongthady told Vientiane Times yesterday that the establishment of the new district will improve the delivery of services.

“At present people have to travel long distances to access services. This also affects local authorities attending meetings in district administrative offices,” said Mr Khammeung.

“The new district authorities will be able to administer their work more efficiently now.”

He said the merging will also streamline socio-economic development processes, as the new district authorities will be able to provide more services in issuing documents.

Meun district, 60 km fro m Meuangfeuang district and 62 km from Xanakham district, will have a population of more than 30,000.

The establishment of the new administrative zone is in accordance with a Prime Ministerial decree and will increase the number of districts in the province from 12 to 13, with 140 districts nationwide.

The provincial authority has been preparing for the establishment of the new district since 2006 and has widely consulted the sectors concerned.

The authority started to develop the area in 1988, so current infrastructure and facilities meet the requirements needed to set up the new district.

Meun district shares borders with Xanakham, Sangthong and Meuangfeuang districts, and is also bounded by the Mekong River .

Mr Khammeung said the change would not affect any existing development projects in the area because investment registration was done at the provincial level.

The establishment of the new district will not affect vehicle registration papers, but the family books of residents living there will need to be altered.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
(Latest Update March 03, 2008)