Dang, Feb 17: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has addressed the Lumbini Provincial Assembly meeting today. He had arrived at Deukhuri in Dang, the capital of Lumbini Province this afternoon.
Prime Minister Oli was welcomed by Chief Minister of Lumbini Province Chet Narayan Acharya, Ministers, and heads of security bodies, among others.
During his address, Prime Minister Oli stated that federalism has opened the doors to development and emphasized the need for cooperation among all three levels of government to achieve progress and prosperity.
Prime Minister Oli expressed his delight at being present in the sacred land of Lumbini. He highlighted the significance of Lumbini as the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha and home to various other historical and religious sites. He noted that Lumbini Province is becoming prosperous in terms of nature, culture, and economy, and its capital has been successfully implemented.
According to the Prime Minister, Lumbini Province serves as an example that development is possible through federalism. He emphasized the recently completed international airport, expanded roads, and other infrastructure projects as indicators of the province’s progress. He also mentioned that projects such as the Siddhababa Tunnel will facilitate transportation and that attention has been given to the construction of the Rampur-Kapurgot road.
Discussing plans to develop Lumbini Province as a center for agriculture, tourism, and industry, Prime Minister Oli stressed the importance of people-centered development. “If there is no human life, development has no meaning,” he stated. He emphasized the need for irrigation projects to support the agricultural sector and for development activities to progress while ensuring environmental conservation. He assured that the federal government is committed to the overall development of the province.
During his speech, the Prime Minister praised the provincial government for initiating the construction of a 1,200-bed Lumbini Provincial Hospital. “This hospital building is the first major infrastructure project by the provincial government, with an estimated cost of NPR 6.18 billion. However, the federal government has not yet been able to fully operate a 1,000-bed hospital,” he said, highlighting the necessity of cooperation between federal, provincial, and local governments.
Prime Minister Oli asserted that quality healthcare services can only be provided by effectively operating health institutions. Stressing the importance of using technology wisely, he remarked, “Nothing remains private on mobile devices; data is stored elsewhere because it is developed by others. Technology has advanced significantly, and we must use it correctly.”
He also emphasized the necessity of coordination and cooperation among all three levels of government to overcome challenges in implementing federalism. “Only by working together can we fulfill the dream of a prosperous Nepal and happy Nepalis,” he said. He urged provincial governments to develop legal frameworks based on existing laws established by the federal government. “Provinces should rely on existing federal laws to guide their development. If provinces create their own laws independently, frequent amendments may be required. Therefore, I request them to follow the existing legal structures,” the Prime Minister concluded.
Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to address a meeting organized by CPN (UML) Dang Chapter in Ghorahi. He is also scheduled to inspect the Tarigaon Airport today itself. #oli #nepal
