The Federation of Nagaland State Engineering Services Associations (FONSESA) held its general biennial conference at Hotel Japfu here on Friday.
In his speech as a special guest, minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs KG Kenye called upon engineers and technocrats to help harness the state’s untapped potential and drive the state’s economic development despite limited financial resources. He also expressed gratitude to the builders, acknowledging their efforts in developing infrastructure and urging them to continue their work despite challenges.
Highlighting the importance of communication and road infrastructure, he described them crucial for societal growth, noting that lack of proper road infrastructure and power supply had negatively impacted multiple sectors, leading to social and political unrest.
He encouraged technocrats and government officials to collaborate with political leaders to help move the state forward, urging engineers to identify and address systemic issues that hindered development, thereby ensuring that future generations were not burdened by these unresolved challenges.
He admitted that the Naga political issue had stunted Nagaland’s development for generations, urging citizens to prioritise resolving this long-standing issue, pointing that the state would not progress without its resolution.
He urged citizens to be assertive and step forward in the face of divisions within society, stressing unity and collective effort in achieving progress. Noting that Nagaland was nearly a century behind neighbouring Assam in terms of development, the adviser admitted that due to socio-political unrest in some region, the development process was affected.
With 28.7%, he said Nagaland had the highest unemployment rate among the North Eastern states, assuring that the state government was doing its best to improve the situation.
He urged private entities to step in to educate the youth and give them employment opportunities. Kenye clarified that the state government was not a party to the ongoing talks between the Central government and Naga political groups regarding the Naga political issue, but merely a facilitator. He assured that the state government would continue to facilitate these talks.
He said the government engaged in discussions with all groups involved in state affairs, but little progress had been made despite numerous meetings. Hence, he mentioned that the government had decided to take the opinion the people, as these discussions were meant for them.
In his presidential address, FONSESA president K Hutoi Sema stated the association stood as a strong testament to the dedication and hard work of all its members, past and present. He said it continued to be a hub for professional growth, where ideas were nurtured, and collective wisdom harnessed to bring about positive change.
He called upon each of them to rededicate themselves to take Nagaland forward, while appealing all members to pledge to work tirelessly, shoulder to shoulder, to ensure that the state did not lag behind. He said they must be the torchbearers, illuminating the path toward a better future, equipped with the knowledge of cutting-edge technologies and a deep commitment to the people.
He said their vision must be clear — develop infrastructure that is not only strong and sustainable, but also inclusive and accessible — and be proactive in solving the problems of today while also preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.
The programme was earlier blessed with invocation by Moa Imsong, pastor of City Church, Kohima, while Neilhoukholie Chiele presented a soulful instrumental performance.
Communitisation of Electricity Rules submitted for governor’s assent.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event, Kenye disclosed that the Nagaland Communitisation of Electricity (Management in Urban Areas by Urban Electricity Management Board) Rules, 2004 had been submitted to the governor for approval following the recently-concluded session of Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
He said once the governor gave assent to the Bill, the government would notify it, and the department would implement the provisions. Stating that the initiative would primarily be for villagers living in urban areas, he revealed that the government’s goal was to recover losses by 35-40%. And with the introduction of a smart system, he said he was optimistic that this figure would improve even further.
Admitting that the department faced resistance from the people in implementation of smart technology, he stressed that it was crucial to educate the community on the importance of keeping up with technology for greater efficiency.
Regarding the Naga political issue, Kenye noted that while progress had been made previously, no solutions had emerged. He claimed that chief minister Neiphiu Rio, who was the chairman of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), played a pivotal role in moving forward. He claimed that the chief minister prioritised the matter and indicated that all civil, apex, and tribal bodies would be involved in this process.