In continuation to the war of words, the Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has criticised Public Works Department (Roads & Bridges) Minister G Kaito Aye’s handling of the Foothills Road project, alleging that he has failed to grasp the significance of the initiative despite multiple explanations.
“Despite our best efforts and endeavours, it seems the Minister In-charge is not capable to understand the Concept of the Foothills Road till date, which is very unfortunate for the entire State,” the NHFRCC asserted in press statement.
The committee claimed that while the general public has come to understand the historic nature of the project, the minister remains “in a state of confusion and puzzle despite repeated explanation through print and social media.”
To his this end, it appealed the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to intervene and “educate” him as the “understanding of the Minister In-Charge with the People’s project is paramount.”
The NFHRCC also raised concerns about the minister’s recent actions regarding the implementation of the project noting that on February 7, Kaito had convened a meeting with 12 Apex Tribal HoHos in Kohima to seek their opinions on an implementation agreement.
As per the committee, all the Hohos during the meeting declared clearly that unless and until an “Implementation Agreement” is signed by the unsigned Contractors, no works would be allowed to be executed in their respective jurisdiction.
Following this, Kaito reportedly assured that within three to four days, the department would invite the unsigned contractors and NFHRCC to rectify any issues before proceeding.
However, NFHRCC alleged that “against his assurance to the 12 Apex Tribal Hohos, Achumbemo Kikon, the MLA, M/S JK Construction and M/S Chabou & Co were allowed to start the illegal construction without even consulting the concerned PWD (R & B) department.”
The committee called the move “highly illegal, unbecoming and uncalled for,” especially given the Minister’s seniority in the government.
On February 21, the NFHRCC stated that the so-called launch of the Foothills Road at Baghty Division
By the two contractors under the initiative of MLA Kikon “without a single official from the concerned department as well as the Committee” was highly questionable.
Who authorised the MLA to go “against the resolution of 12 Apex Tribal Hohos,” the NFHRCC posed.
Accordingly, if the launch was carried out under the Minister’s directions, the committee demanded that “the Minister In-charge had to apologise to the 12 Apex Tribal HoHos.”
Likewise, if MLA Kikon had acted on his own, he should apologise to 12 Apex Tribal HoHos/NFHRCC and to the concerned PWD (R&B) department for “illegally intruding upon the jurisdiction of the PWD (R&B),” it asserted.
NFHRCC reiterated that “in democracy, the voice of the public is paramount,” cautioning that any attempt to undermine or suppress public opinion would have consequences.
The committee asserted that “NFHRCC/HoHos/Naga Public are the sole owner, department nodal agent and contractor to execute assigned contract works” and that any firm executing work without an agreement with the NFHRCC would face severe action.
Highlighting past failed projects in Nagaland, including the unfinished Nagaland High Court Complex, Dimapur Stadium, and various NEC road projects, NFHRCC warned against mismanagement of the Foothills Road.
“Nagaland has become a graveyard of projects… Therefore, NFHRCC/HoHos/Naga Public don’t want this Historic Extra-ordinary Foothills Project to meet the same fate.”
The committee called on the Minister to “speak in the public domain after proper verifications of the facts,” adding, “don’t try to satisfy your brain by making unqualified big words.”
- Morung Express