Our Reporter
Dimapur, Sep. 4 (EMN): A dumping site, which was once an ‘eye-sore’, has been transformed into a parkway and inaugurated on Saturday by H Tovihoto Ayemi, MLA and advisor of Power department, at Golaghat Road in Dimapur.
The parkway was constructed by Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) and “A Better Dimapur,” an initiative of the DMC to clean and beautify the city.
Speaking at the programme, Ayemi said that the project might be small but it is significant because for many years the particular area was an ‘eye-sore’ for many people as it was a mini-dumping site for DMC.
He expressed that about 80% of the vehicles entering Dimapur crossed the area and therefore it was the mirror of Nagaland.
“The development belongs to all of us, so it is the responsibility of the citizens to maintain and contribute in whichever way possible, in that way, the city will grow,” he said.
“The DMC has a very huge responsibility and the sanitary workers clean every nook and corner of the city every day but the citizens do not have the sense and they make the city dirty,” he stated, citing that such citizens were adding more workload to the DMC. He also asked the citizens to pay sanitation tax to the councils without hesitation.
He also shared that since the municipal and town councils do not have an elected body, the central government was not releasing any project funds. He said that it was time to have elections so that “with an elected body we will be able to do many more developments”.
He also lauded the present municipal council for trying their best to beautify Dimapur with the meagre resources available.
Sharing about the implementation of prepaid meters by the Power department, he said that before the actual implementation they will have awareness programmes and sensitise the people. He further appealed to the civil society organisations to continue rendering their support and service to the administration, police and DMC.
He also expressed disappointment over how the beautified items had been stolen or damaged, and even the motors which were used to run the fountain water had been stolen three times.
The Dimapur commissioner of police, Rothihu Testeo, also encouraged the citizens to do their own duty as responsible citizens and not throw garbage ‘just anywhere’ and later blame the administration for not cleaning.
“We only talk about rights but without duty, there is no right. And as a Naga we always talk about rights and blame the government but if we do not start from ourselves, it is not going to help us.
“As a Naga, we should work together and it may not be easy but it is not impossible,” he advised.
He also assured that the police were ready to give their cooperation and duty whenever necessary.
“We will also give our best in law and order but without the public co-operation it is not possible”, he said.
He also appealed to the village chairmen and leaders to educate the people. “The government is also not perfect but the citizens should give their cooperation and do our duty,” he added.
Zubenthung Ngullie, SDO Sardar, also shared that the parkway enhanced the aesthetic value of the city and reminded the public to protect the assets. He also thanked the administration for the development and beautification of the city.
President of GBUD, MY Ngullie, said that there were about 100 colonies and wards under the DMC adding in each colony there is a chairman or GB. He, therefore, urged them to take initiative in maintaining cleanliness in their own area and also cooperate with DMC.
“The beautified area should be maintained and the concerned colony chairman should also see that no items are stolen or damaged and if anyone is caught stealing, they should be punished”, he stated.
Dimapur Urban Council Chairman Federation (DUCCF) president, Tsenthungo, also encouraged the members to continue to focus on beautification of Dimapur. He also encouraged the citizens to give support and contribute wherever necessary. The advisor also flagged off a bike rally on cleanliness awareness.