Morung Express News
Mokokchung | April 4
Mokokchung District Jail got its long-felt need of a decent water supply and sanitary facility under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) with two churches funding the construction of the same. The facility was inaugurated today by Supongmeren Jamir, Nagaland State Brand Ambassador of SBM in the presence of Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, Sushil Kumar Patel.
It may be recalled that the Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya during his visit to Mokokchung visited the district jail on November 18 last year during which the inmates informed him of a dire need for a sanitary facility in the jail. The Governor then entrusted the task to the SBM Mokokchung team.
In response to the appeal of SBM Mokokchung, the Alempang Baptist Church and Sungkomen Baptist Church agreed to jointly fund the construction of a water supply and sanitary complex in the jail. Accordingly, the construction works began on March 6, 2017 under the voluntary supervision of S. Kati Aier, Deacon, Alempang Baptist Church and was completed at a cost of Rs.3,00,000. Components of the project included constructing a modern wash room and toilet, septic tank and soak pit, a ring well and a 2000 litre water reservoir.
Rev. Temsu S Pastor, Alempang Baptist Church in his remarks appreciated the Chairman of SBM Mokokchung, MB Longkumer for his service and time rendered during the construction as well as the jail authority for their cooperation. He also conveyed special thanks to the inmates who did all the manual works during the construction.
Meanwhile, Supongmeren Jamir extended appreciation to the two churches for funding and supervising the construction of the facility. He also encouraged the inmates to “change” and become “valuable assets for the society.” Saying that he was also once a jail inmate and that he understands their plight, he encouraged the present inmates in the jail to be positive in their outlook and consider their time in jail as life changing opportunities.
The inmates also asked the visitors for help in maintaining the library in the jail, to which the Brand Ambassador entrusted the Ao Students’ Conference leaders, who were also present, to fulfil the inmates’ needs. He also entrusted the SBM Mokokchung to help replace the rooftops of the jail chapel hall.
Chairman of SBM Mokokchung, MB Longkumer, who chaired the programme, also appreciated the two churches for their “mission work” in jointly undertaking the project and added that it would bring a huge sigh of relief to the inmates.
The Superintendent of the Jail while thanking the two churches and the SBM Mokokchung for their contribution stated that it was the “first of its kind in the history of the department in Nagaland.”
