Azo assures panel will apprise CM to release funds for project
Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Committee on Government Assurances led by its chairman, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, MLA, along with several advisors and MLAs, conducted an on-the-spot inspection of the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex (MDSC), at Dimapur which has remained incomplete for nearly two decades.
Other committee members included advisor youth resources & sports, S Keoshu Yimchunger; advisor land resources, G Ikuto Zhimomi; advisor transport and technical education, Temjenmenba, and Naiba Konyak, MLA. Officials from district administration, concerned department, and project contractor were also present during the inspection.
Prior to undertaking the inspection, Committee chairman, Azo informed that the committee was undertaking the spot verification in the interest of the public. “We are here to show that the government is not sleeping over issues,” he said.
Azo said that despite repeated assurances in the assembly by the leader of the house, the project has been facing unprecedented delays. “Today, we want to understand the reasons for the delay and find solutions,” Azo said.
He also emphasised that the project, which commenced in 2006, needed urgent attention. Azo said the committee would take up the matter with the government to ensure expeditious completion of a world-class stadium.
In this regard, Azo pointed out that the physical progress was more than the financial progress, suggesting that the contractor and department should not be blamed for the delay. He said that the committee would put up its recommendation to the state government in order to expedite the project.
Meanwhile, after the inspection, addressing media, Azo stated that there were many hues and cries on the project in the social media, but the contractor proved beyond doubt that the work did not stop.
He considered late release of fund as the primary reason for the delay in completion of the project. “The record shows that physical progress is 22% whereas the financial progress is hardly 20%. So if fund is provided to the contractor, I think he can surely expedite the work,” committee chairman stated.
He said the committee would submit a report and request the government to release the required funds so Dimapur and Nagaland finally get a completed stadium.
On being asking why the state government did not prioritise the project for so long, Azo replied that fund allocation was the state government’s prerogative. However, he stressed that the committee would push for more funds to be prioritized for the project. He opined that had the MDSC been completed within the stipulated timeline, the standard of sports in the state could have been much higher today.
“It is a wake-up call to expedite the project, allocate funds, and prioritize its completion,” Azo added. Meanwhile, project contractor, Nibu Nagi, disclosed that the work order for MDSC was issued in 2006, and initial funding came from the state government through funds from the Planning Commission.
He stated that Rs. 50 crore (Rs.10 crore per year), were received. However, Nagi said that after those funds were exhausted, the project became dependent on the state budget, resulting in irregular payments. “Sometimes we get funds, sometimes we don’t. The delay is simple, lack of funds,” the contractor stated.
He expressed gratitude to the committee for conducting on-spot inspection at MDSC, as it was also the first time in the project’s history that MLAs and department officials visited the site together.
Nagi said it was the vision of chief minister Neiphiu Rio to construct the MDSC, with the goal of hosting national games in the state. However, due to financial constraints, progress has been slow, he said.
Asked about the original project cost, Nagi said that the initial estimate was Rs 56 crore. However, the amount did not cover many essential components, he said. Nagi also expressed concerns over thefts at the site. He said that even after catching the perpetrators and handing them over to the police, they often return.
The department officials present at the site estimated that current total cost for the completion have escalated to approximately a whopping Rs 250 crore, inclusive of the amount already received. This indicates the cost escalations plaguing most projects in the state.
Asked about plans to make MDSC into an international stadium, the engineer replied that proposals were made, but international stadium required four-lane road entry to the stadium in view of the safety concerns and smooth flow of traffic.
Regarding physical progress, the engineer informed that as per the new DPR, 21% overall work completed, 87% of the roofing completed, while Rs. 20crore have been received so far (approximately 20% of the estimated cost).
Asked about his views on MDSC after inspection, advisor S Keoshu Yimchunger, said the project commenced before his tenure, but assured full support in completing it before the end of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
He also informed that chief minister was actively seeking funds from various sources to ensure MDSC’s completion. Asked how the state government was able to spend Rs 19 crore alone just on the renovation of Dimapur Town Hall and fast-lane completion of several stadiums in Chümoukedima while MDSC remained stalled, Yimchunger responded “No matter how much development the government brings, Nagas never acknowledge it.”
Regarding delay in completion of the MDSC, he opined that since the project cost was high, funds could not be brought in or diverted for completion. He, however, reiterated that chief minister was trying his best to generate funds to complete the complex. He disclosed that proposals were sent annually to the centre for the completion.