The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Nagaland held a co-ordination meeting with minister for PHED, Jacob Zhimomi on April 3 at the conference hall, PHED directorate, Kohima.
According to DIPR report, Zhimomi, who held the same portfolio for a few weeks in 2017, said he wished he had one-full tenure and fortunately he was given the same portfolio again, “Hopefully we’ll complete the tenure and I am happy that I was given this privilege” he added.
Zhimomi said there was a huge challenge ahead with the water supply and the government of India schemes pertaining to Sanitation and Open Defecation Free (ODF). Apart from water supply, hygiene was also very important especially in the rural areas, he said.
Yearly assessment of the departments will be made at the end, therefore, the minister urged the officials to work hard and perform well. He expressed delight that online payment of water bill was introduced by the department. Zhimomi assured that in the interest of the department, public and the government he would be available even on Sundays for the officials.
He stated that it was crucial to take adequate steps for water supply to Kohima town since it was the capital with shortage of water supply. “We will explore Dimapur also after the ongoing projects are commissioned, simultaneously, we can explore other districts”, he mentioned.
Zhimomi said that focus should be on existing projects and for office infrastructural repair, the department could put up proposals. Zhimomi said, “as cited by the chief engineer, work charge deduction of 5% was taken from some projects earlier. I’ll take up this issue with the Finance department as it is not permissible to make such deduction.”
On “Zaru” project at Dzukou, the minister stressed on the importance of mediating between the two villages in dispute over some areas in Dzukou so that water could be supplied to Kohima town. He assured that “we will give them their due share whatever is permissible under the government guidelines, it will be an achievement of a lifetime and even they will be benefitted long term.”
Commissioner & secretary, PHED, Dr. Maongwati chaired the programme. A power point presentation on PHED activities was given by chief engineer, K.G. Sumi.