[dropcap]W[/dropcap]e are deeply concerned about the recent upheaval concerning the Nagaland Foothill Road construction and are also deeply pained by the careless attempts to tarnish the good name of our most respected contractor, Mr. Yashitsungba Ao. Hence, for the sake of upholding accurate public knowledge, we wish to elucidate some simple truths about the works already done on the road, and also to express our solidarity with the concerned contractor who has till date displayed integrity of character and has delivered his services with utmost credibility.As the Proprietor of Nagaland Steel Engineering Works (NSEW), and the oldest contractor of more than 50 years without a single blemish in his career with the PWD, Mr. Yashitsungba Ao was unanimously chosen as ‘the man’ by the Nagaland Foothill Road Co-ordination Committee (NFHRCC) to take up the project. There were no other contractors willing to take such a massive risk as there was absolutely no money made available to execute the said work at that time. Mr. Yashitsungba too had initially refused several times but after he was requested persistently by the NFHRCC and several other groups and societies, he relented and finally agreed to execute the work for the sake of service to the Nagas who desperately needed to have their own road and not always travel across the borders of Assam. Being a man of courage, simplicity and far-sightedness, he began the road construction works purely on “credit” simply on the base of mutual trust. Meanwhile, a historic MoU was signed on the 16TH September 2013, that no tax/cut/land compensation/monetary enticement be given to any Naga Political Groups, Government departments, concerned Minister and Land Owners. This respectable open declaration prompted a new confidence and a new hope to work towards a better future for Nagaland.
The Government of Nagaland (R and B Department) also agreed to endorse the work to Mr Yashitsungba and therefore, work order was issued to his firm for the Longtho-Changki Agri Link road as initially being 2.48 Kms in length. On reassessment, this road actually measured 3.70 Kms, that is, an additional 1.22 Kms. So with the consultation and awareness of the concerned Department, constructions began on 22nd December 2013. The unhindered works got swiftly completed by February 2014. The honorable Minister of Roads and Bridges, the Chief Engineer, his subordinates/officials/ staff, came for spot verification on the 6th of March where several public and the concerned organizations were present. The entire teams present praised the work and on this day, Nagaland Steel Engineering Works was requested to start work for the 68 km road from Longtho to Yachang C within which 34.52 Kms was still uncut and non-motorable. A verbal assurance was given that the work order would surely be allotted to Nagaland Steel Engineering Works. As such, the NSEW started its work with sincerity, on the basis of pure trust and mutual good- will, and road cutting for the stretch of 10 kms of the road has already been completed. It was informed at that time that the forthcoming Work Order could not be issued due to the Lok- Sabha Election code of conduct.
Meanwhile, our former Chief Minister, Mr. Neiphieu Rio sanctioned Rupees 40 crores to the PWD Department for the Foothill road construction during the end of March 2014. Immediately, and only after this pronouncement, in-fighting among various contractors sprung up.
On 19th May, 2014, an ‘open tender’ was rightfully called for by the Government. Nagaland Steel Engineering Works (NSEW) too applied and was assuredly found to have the lowest financial bid (5% below NPWD SOR, 2013, which is workable as certified by the Chief Engineer, PWD, R&B) and highest technical bid (88.00). However, when the results were announced on 3rd June 2014, they were shocked to see a twist in the whole deliberation. Sungkutenem Construction was instead awarded the project in their place and on 10th June 2014, the work order was issued. After several failed attempts to make sense and to reason out and bring justice to this predicament in a civil manner with the Department and the concerned Minister, NFHRCC was finally compelled to organize a protest bandh on 30th July, 2014.
It is truly regretful that this unfortunate turn of events regarding Foothill road construction has confused many Nagas and has shaken the very foundations of mutual trust based on verbal assurance and solemn signing of the historic MoU. We wish to make only two appeals to all right-thinking Nagas. Firstly, may the sanctity of the Naga aspiration to own good state roads be held in utmost respect, irrespective of petty differences in tribe/community/political affiliation and lure of money to negotiate personal morals and ethics. The NFHRCC consisting of 10 tribal Hoho’s which was initially formed for a genuine cause may now face paralyzing pressure from external maneuverings, causing some of them to withdraw their original commitment. However, retractors should never forget that they too once supported the innocent movement to work for the betterment of Nagaland. And yet, if we people give up too soon in the face of difficulty and become victims of senseless enmity or even perhaps exchange our very souls for currency, how can we escape the effects of our ill-fated choices? Nagaland itself will suffer under the cruel burden of ‘inferior roads’ or ‘no roads’ for several more years.
Secondly, may the name of our veteran contractor Mr. Yashitsungba not be dragged down by any person, whether friend or foe. He has seen Nagaland since pre-statehood days together with the coming and going of several Chief Ministers right from P. Shilu’s time. Having been orphaned at childhood and left to toil through sweat and tears, God has faithfully blessed the works of his humility, honesty and hard labor through successive governments. His very first road contract was during pre-statehood days when there were virtually no roads in Mokokchung. In the absence of excavators and other modernized machinery, he dug the road with a crow-bar (jambol) and a spade (kuthrang) for a contract fee of a few hundred rupees.
Now at the age of 86 years (born. 1928), and having effectively battled numerous obstacles, both personal and professional, with sheer determination and God’s grace Mr. Yashitsungba has duly earned the high regard people have of him today. This well known philanthropist has helped built numerous churches in Nagaland, and helped various societies and committees, and continues to fund genuine social activities throughout the years. He is the founder of the very well known Zion Hospital and Research Center, Dimapur and also the moving force behind the setting up of the first Cancer Hospital in Nagaland. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award on the occasion of the North-East Agri Expo – 2010 for his contribution and achievements as an entrepreneur. Therefore, an authentic pioneering entrepreneur such as him does not deserve to be slandered unjustly, but in fact regarded as someone we can humbly learn many valuable life-lessons.
He is the longest serving Treasurer of the Ao Union for more than 35 years.
He is the Treasurer of the Sungratsu Union.
He is the senior most member and Advisor of the Nagaland Government Registered Class 1 Contractor’s Union.
Member of the Nagaland Contractors and Suppliers Union.
Was president of Army Contractors and Suppliers Union.
Sd/-
Mr. Supu Jamir, Mr. C. Onen Walling,
President, General Secretary
ASTD ASTD
