PHED bids farewell to outgoing officers

KOHIMA — The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) bade farewell to its officers during a programme held at the Capital Convention Centre in Kohima on Saturday.

The retiring officers included chief engineer and head of department, Repangyangba Longkumer; chief engineer of WSSO ad Sanitation, N Thsathrichem Sangtam; and additional chief engineer, Inashe Kiba.

Speaking at the programme, minister of PHED, Jacob Zhimomi, lauded the retiring officers for their role in declaring Nagaland as open defecation-free (ODF) for which the state won an award and on the ongoing JJM project to connect functional water tap to every household in Nagaland.

He has asked the incumbent engineers to carry forward the legacy and assured his support to the department.

Also speaking on the occasion, the principal secretary of PHED, E Mhonbemo Patton, commended the leadership, services and contributions made by the retiring officers. He commented that retirement of the three officials marked the end of the 1980’s batch of officers. He also exuded hope that the incumbent officials would emulate and carry forward the responsibility in the service of the people.

Repangyangba Longkumer, who joined the department as SDO, recounted that he took over as chief engineer ‘under not-so easy circumstances’ due to the demise of his predecessor. He, however, stated that it was a challenge to ‘pick up the threads, connect the dots and to start moving on.’

Admitting that professionalism, competency and integrity would be questioned and tested in an engineering department such as PHE, he advised his successors to take such criticisms on positive note and try to improve their performance with commitment to duties.

He further underscored the need to upgrade knowledge and keep themselves abreast with the latest technology.

Maintaining the problems of water and sanitation would increase with modernisation, the chief engineer of WSSO and Sanitation, Thsathrichem Sangtam, encouraged the upcoming engineers to learn the science of engineering.

He further advised the officers and staff to be bold and efficient in executing the works and also maintain good relation with the public.

The incoming head of department, L Leyang Khiamniungan, has expressed gratitude to the retiring officers for their contributions. Songs were presented by Pelenuo Yhome and Ato Nienu.

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