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Neiphiu Rio participating in a state-wide mass social work campaign organised by the state government on Saturday in Kohima. (EM Image)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima Sep. 29 (EMN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday asked whether the residents of Kohima were ‘ashamed or proud’ to inhabit a ‘city’ that was recently tagged the second-most unliveable in the country.
While leading the state-wide community sanitation work, at the PHQ junction in Kohima, Rio referred to a study conducted by Ease of Living Index and released by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs which ranked Nagaland’s capital 110 out of 111 cities surveyed to determine the most unliveable cities in India.
He appealed to the citizens to ‘wake up from their slumber and restore the pride of the state as Kohima is the mirror of Nagaland.’ He expressed confidence that everyone would contribute to making Kohima clean again.
The chief minister assured that the Nagaland government would commit to restoring roads in Kohima and Dimapur within a year for which he appealed to colony leaders, NGO and landowners to cooperate with the government.
Rio mentioned that the department of Road and Bridges would give special care to all the districts and sub-divisions. He said that the government would float open tenders in the coming weeks to build the proposed roads and that contractors would be scrutinised and selected based on their previous records.
Referring to the laidback attitude of Naga people, Neiphiu Rio felt that they were ‘spoilt and knew only to receive, not give,’ and resorting to ‘blame game’ especially at the government for their misery. He said everyone has a responsibility to contribute to the common good of the society.
Also, Rio said that the government would ensure that the streetlights are working, commercial buildings painted and clean. Or else, he said, penalty would be imposed. He mentioned that the augmentation of water supply to Kohima town from Teupuiki and Dzupfu River (Khonoma-Poilwa village) would see the light of day soon as the government was pursuing it earnestly. However, citizens will have to pay for the services, he reminded.
Dr. Neikiesalie Kire, advisor to Rural Development, said Kohima is like a mini-India where a population of people from different races, tribes and religions live peacefully. He appealed to the citizens to take responsibility of their surroundings every day. He cited an instance: In Mokokchung town, citizens there take collective responsibility in ‘cleaning their surroundings religiously.’
"If we clean our surrounding everyday and dispose garbage off where it should be thrown, it won't be necessary to conduct mass social works except along the National Highways and some public places," he said.
The sanitation drive will culminate on Oct. 2 coinciding with the commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and Swachh Bharat day. During the four-day work, the focus will be on cleaning and clearing debris left behind by the recent monsoon rains across the state.
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The deputy commissioner of Dimapur, Sushil Kumar Patel, along with the member of Lok Sabha, Tokheho Yepthomi and ruling legislators from Dimapur district led the sanitation drive at the Clock Tower areas in Dimapur.
The legislators included minister for PHED Jacob Zhimomi; Deputy Speaker Zhaleo Rio; and advisor to the department of Power, Tovihoto Ayemi. During the programme, they spoke about the importance of the day, saying that it was to promote cleanliness and sanitation.
Zhimomi said, “Development is not only about constructing reinforced cement concrete buildings but clean environment is prerequisite for healthy development.”
Also, Zhaleo Rio reminded people about Kohima being adjudged the second most ‘unliveable’ city in India. He opined that the reason may be contributed to bad road conditions, scarcity of water, irregular electricity, poor education and health, and congested traffic conditions, among others. He said that the government plays the role of a facilitator. He urged the public to cooperate with the government and to work with it.
Legislator Ayemi stressed on the need to keep up with the cleanliness activity, and urged the colonies and wards in Dimapur to continue with it even after the conclusion of the work on Oct. 2. He urged the Gaon Bura and chairmen of all colonies and wards to conduct cleanliness drives in their areas regularly.
