Chairman of Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation (NSMDC), Thomas Lotha, interacting with the officials during his visit to the Decorative and Dimensional Stone Plant in Chumukedima on June 14.
Dimapur, Jun 14 (MExN): A mega cement production unit under Pungro sub-division in Kiphire district is beginning to happen, which could cater not only to the needs of the State but extend to the markets in South East Asian countries. The ambitious cement plant is expected to extensively boost the State economy catering to the need of the South East Asian countries and Manipur State.
It may be mentioned here that Mimi area under Pungro sub-division in Kiphire has a limestone deposit of 10,000 million tonnes for production of quality cement. The proposed cement plant holds significant considering close proximity with the international border, which could be easily shipped at the nearest port at Tamanthi in Myanmar over Chindwin River. The international border trade could be made viable by construction of road connectivity from Mimi to Layashi township in Myanmar via Avungkhu international border trade center.
Chairman of the Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation (NSMDC), Thomas Lotha, disclosed this to a section of media persons during his maiden visit to the Decorative and Dimensional Stone Plant at Chumukedima this morning. Thomas said the proposed ambitious cement plant has been initiated keeping in view of huge economic potentiality of the State’s mineral deposits.
An optimistic NSMDC chairman said tapping of mineral resources with proper regulation/ systematic policy could push Nagaland to be a self-sufficient state and further carved a niche itself to be a proud revenue surplus State. He has also expressed confidence that with concerted efforts from all officers and staff, NSMDC could contribute Rs 100 crore revenue annually to the State government.
The chairman, who recently surveyed the Wazeho Cement plant in Phek district with expertise in cement production from Delhi, has initiated to revive the plant. It may be mentioned here that Wazeho Cement Plant has been abandoned for over 5 years after upgradation into a modernized unit for want of capital fund to function.
Thomas Lotha was confident to make the only cement plant in the State workable by mobilizing funds from the State exchequer without depending on the assistance from central government.
During his interacting with officials of Decorative and Dimensional Stone Plant, Chumukedima, Thomas Lotha has insisted on discipline among the staff and quality production to make it viable for the department to excel. He said the production should be impressive and marketable, adding that all concerned should endeavour to make its product a household name in the State.
The NSMDC chairman has warned the officers and staff against complacency and becoming a liability to the government but rather be an income generating unit thereby enabling to stand on its own feet. He has further directed the officers to place their requirement within a month to rejuvenate the plant.
