Engineers urged to give their best for development

Kohima, April 19 (EMN): Additional Chief Secretary & Finance Commissioner Temjen Toy on Wednesday told a group of engineers to set their priorities right in the effort to bring all-round development in the state.

Speaking at the annual general conference of the Federation of Nagaland State Engineering Service Association (FONSESA) at Capital Convention Centre in Kohima today, the additional chief secretary exhorted the engineers ‘to do justice in their assigned duties.’

“Wherever you are posted, you should monitor and supervise the works you have been assigned,” he said and made his observation known that “there are many things which are under the control of the engineers.”

On FONSESA’s motto –Excellence through professionalism–he encouraged the engineers to give their best in delivering quality development to the State.

On DPR and selection of projects, he observed that some contractors have the ability to prepare DPR better than the engineers.

“What are we in the mean time, as engineers, doing if we don’t do things which we are supposed to be done by us? What have you done in contributing for the development of the State,” he said adding “the engineers should take responsibility in preparing the DPR, instead of depending on the DPR submitted by the contractors.”

“FONSESA is formed not only to fight for your rights. It is the bounden duty of members to contribute for the wellbeing of our society,” he stated.

Delivering the presidential address, R Temsutemjen Aier challenged the engineers on their responsibility to facilitate growth in various government undertakings.

“As engineers in different fields and as employees in various technical departments of the State, we play a very important role in the development aspects of many key sectors  including roads & transportation, power, public health, mining, etc,” he remarked.

“The expectations from the government of the day and from the people are tremendous and it is our duty to fulfil all these expectations,” he said maintaining that these things van be achieved only if the engineers devote their time and energy with a full measure of devotion and determination.

On behalf of the association, he lauded the State government for announcing the implementation of Revision of Pay effective from June 1, 2017. He reminded the engineers that the 7th ROP was announced in spite of the financial difficulties faced by the State.

To this, he urged the engineers to work harder than before and be worthy employees befitting of the pay granted by the government.

“It is time for us to lead from the front and show the way to the rest of our fellow employees. Let us walk the extra mile and do something good for our people,” he added.

Stating that the demand for skilled manpower has increased tremendously across the world, he encouraged his fellow engineers to keep pace with the change of time.

“There is an urgent need to upgrade our skills and knowledge to keep abreast of the times so that we are not left behind in our respective fields,” he stated.

Engineers’ ‘place’ in policy-making

Engineer-in-chief of NPWD, Khupi Natso has pressed the state government to give the engineers a rightful place close to the policy makers for formulating perspective plans and speedy implementation of development works.

Addressing a host of engineers in the State during the annual general conference of FONSESA at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, today, Khupi Natso regretted that the State’s engineering department has gone from bad to worse and has been placed way behind our neighbouring states on so many aspects.

“States where engineers are manning the department(s) have gone tenfold ahead of us though they got statehood 10–20 years after us. But in Nagaland, all these seem to be irrelevant,” he said.

Stating that the engineers have provided enough reasons since 1980s in pressing the government on this concern, however, Khupi maintained that the government is still sticking to its own term that is – “Manning of engineering department by engineers shall be done as per exigency.”

On cadre management, he pointed out that the engineering department has gone from bad to worse even on this line.

“For many years, we have not come up with any long term project/programme for sustainability. There are many short term projects which never get completed in time,” he said adding the cost of these projects goes up double or triple the original price.

To the engineers, Natso underscored the need for a paradigm shift in way of approach to their works and duties.

“As a professional, there is a need for us to have a massive capacity building so that we are ready to face with any type of challenge, more importantly the national flagship programmes and international funding programmes,” Natso said.

Reminding the engineers and technocrats about their important role in nation building, he reiterated that the level of responsibility and accountability of engineers is very high and critical to the development of the State.

“Policy making for any development programme without technical backup is never a success. A correct policy, planning and design are the paramount important for the smooth and successful implementation of the programmes,” he added.

He further observed that many engineers tend to spend more time in status building, by way of obliging to their political bosses, relatives and friends in providing small petty works, appointments.

Khupi reiterated that the engineers will be degrading themselves if they give more importance on social activities at the cost of their office duties.