Industries & Commerce adviser Hekani Jakhalu has clarified that entrepreneur Aolemba Longkumer was not involved in contracts or supplies, but was a beneficiary of the project — the Common Facility Centre (CFC) for Wooden Furniture Cluster at Toluvi here.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the inauguration of the East Dimapur Town Council office here on Thursday, Hekani expressed concern over reports of the NSCN/GPRN (Khango-Hokato Vusshe) demanding Rs 50 lakh from Aolemba.
She denied allegations that the state government neglecting the issue, urging people not to believe in them. She asserted that the Industries & Commerce Department was in touch with the police to resolve the matter.
Hekani assured all entrepreneurs that the state government, including the Industries and Commerce Department, were working to promote them and not to feel scared.
“We will protect them and make sure that the projects are successful. We will leave no stone unturned to protect them and promote them,” she reiterated.
Responding to the NSCN/GPRN’s demands for project details and allegations against Aolemba, Hekani clarified that government projects were public documents, but pointed out that the government was accountable only to the public at large.
She urged all groups against unnecessary interference, assuring that the department was working to resolve the matter amicably without “embarrassing anyone”.
However, Hekani said the state government would not hesitate to take strict action if disruptions continued.
“If they keep on doing unnecessary things, we have no choice, and it would be an ugly situation. We don’t want to get into that,” she warned.
The advisor informed that a team comprising MSME Ministry officials, NIDC chairman, and Industries & Commerce Department officials led by the director recently visited the CFC along with Aolemba, claiming that the project was progressing as per plan.
Meanwhile, Industries & Commerce director P Tokugha Sema stated that the project was funded by the Central government, with contributions from the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and the state’s share.
He affirmed that civil works were complete, and most machinery components had arrived, with the remaining expected soon.
Countering the allegations made by NSCN/GPRN, Tokugha stated, “When the project is still ongoing, how can anyone say Aolemba has not done any work or taken away money? He is a recipient of a national award.”
He disclosed that the CFC would be completed by March this year.