HIS Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday consented to conduct a working visit to the nearly completed National Disaster Management Centre at the Fire and Rescue Services Headquarters at the Old Airport.

Prior to the visit, His Royal Highness consented to attend a special meeting with the national disaster council, in which, the crown prince is also the chairman. The event was held at the conference room of the Fire and Rescue's multi-purpose hall. His Royal Highness also consented to deliver his sabda and listened to a briefing on the update of the recent swine flu influenza outbreak.

His Royal Highness was greeted upon arrival by the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Adanan BPSK Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Mohd Yusof, the Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Suyoi Hj Osman and the Director of NDMC, Awg Yahya Hj Abd Rahman.

Also in attendance at the meeting and visit were the Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Dato Seri Paduka Awg Hj Eusoff Agaki Hj Ismail, Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Dato Paduka Awang Hj Hamdillah Hj Abdul Wahab, Deputy Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Awg Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah, Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Commissioner of Police as well as senior officers and officers from relevant ministries and NDMC.

The meeting began with a welcoming speech by the Home Affairs Minister in his capacity as the Deputy Chairman (Permanent) of the council followed by the delivering of the Sabda by the crown prince.

This was followed by briefing presentations by the Minister of Health, Head of Health Services, Dr Hjh Rahmah Hj Md Said and Director of NDMC.

Upon conclusion of the meeting, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah then consented to a Santap before heading to the new NDMC building that was completed last week. NDMC personnel moved into the building on May 1.

The renovation project made to the NDMC building began in January and was completed after a five-month period. It is also part of the efforts to establish a physical infrastructure for the NDMC to allow better and more efficient management of disasters.

The building, which costs around B$2 million, holds the Disaster Command Centre equipped with a C4I, which is a command, control, communication, computing and information system, that operates around the clock.

Above all, it also accommodates the operation room for the focal point of the involved government agencies as well as a Syndicate and Tactical room for the various agencies to discuss on the disaster management strategies.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah also consented to visit the Brunei International Airport to take a closer look at the thermal scan, which has been set up as part of preventive measures and also consented to a quick tour and pass through the several government agencies located at the airport building. - Borneo Bulletin (3rd May 2009)