Prioritises safe drinking water for Dimapur and Kohima
Principal Correspondent
Kohima, May 26
Newly inducted Minister for Public Health Engineering (PHED), Tokheho Yepthomi while maintaining that quality of water affects the health of the people, today emphasized on the extensively use mobile water testing lab to create awareness on save drinking water. In his maiden interaction with the officers and staff of the Department during the introductory meeting at PHED Conference Hall here today, Yepthomi said, “PHED is responsible to give the best service to enable people to maintain good health by providing quality water”.
He therefore said that in order to check the quality of water in all the villages and also create awareness on consumption of quality water, the department should extensively use the mobile water testing lab, beside proper maintenance of pipe lines.
Expressing possibilities of providing quality water supply to all the districts of State would be worked out, Yepthomi, who had also held the same portfolio during Congress regime (1998-2003), said “the top priority as the Minister would be Kohima and Dimapur districts”.
Admitting that there are some serious problems in providing water to Dimapur and Kohima, he said “we will explore all the possibilities to give water supply to the two districts”.
Urging the officers and staff to put their head together and work for the welfare of the people, he called upon them to have a sense of belongingness and always protect the government properties.
Observing that all the staff of PHED are efficient, the Minister however said dedication and sincerity has to be put together with efficiency irrespective of their position to work for the welfare of the people.
Extending his fullest cooperation to achieve the goal of the Department, Yepthomi asserted to take up the problem of non-release of state’s share of funds leading to delay in completion of projects with the Chief Minister and Finance Department.
Expressing dismay over the encroachment of government quarters and department land by the public, he made an appeal to the officers to have a sense of belonging and protect the government properties.
Stating that officers and staff of PHED are efficient in their conduct, he also said that sincerity and dedication has to go along with efficiency to live upto expectation of the people.
The minister also stressed on the need to improve the metering system to enhance the revenue of the State.
Further, remarking that the leaders of the past started the political movement with good intension and till the 70s all were sincere, hardworking and dedicated, he lamented that because of the unresolved Naga political movement, the Naga society has been facing problems.
He also called upon the Naga political groups to give a little though for the future generation, lest at this rate Nagas will perish, because Nagas have not been able to live in harmony to take up developmental works.
Presenting an overview of the Department, PHED Chief Engineer, Kevisekho Kruse highlighted that nine different projects are being undertaken. However, he said delay by the state government in releasing funds provided by the Government of India has been a constraint for timely completion of projects. Other constraints faced by the department, he said are funds released are kept in Civil Deposit for long period, non-release of State matching share for CSS. He said that since such delays are viewed seriously by the Union Ministry, it affects the works implementation/achievement of targets.
Water & Sanitation Support Organization (WSSO) Director K. G. Sumi made power-point presentations on the overview of WSSO. He highlighted that out of the total target of 2,78,859 units of Individual Household Latrine in the State, 1,70374 have been achieved. He also highlighted on the Swacch Bharat mission.
Chairing the programme, PHED Secretary Anenla S. Longchari also delivered the welcome address while Additional Chief Engineer, Walter Longchar tendered the vote of thanks.
