Water supply, toilet facilities for uncovered govt schools
Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 9
Nagaland’s PHED Minister, Noke Wangnao today asserted that the PHED is a department paving the gateway to clean environment, good health and hygiene. “Globally, the dynamics of water has changed and the need for proper sanitation is an issue addressed seriously in the developing country,” the minister informed during the PHE department officers’ introductory meeting here at Hotel Japfu, Kohima.
The minister asserted that the PHE department is facilitating and responding to the daily needs of the people in Nagaland. Times have changed and likewise the department has also undergone various changes. “All over the world, water is an important issue, especially access to clean drinking water and sanitation,” the minister said, and informed that the department is undertaking various programmes for rural water supply, sanitation and treatment for the people.
He emphasized that equal onus now lies on the department and the people. “As a department we can facilitate provision for supply of water but the issue of water source and related issues will have to be jointly addressed by the people and the department for the benefit of all,” the minister said. He alluded to the point that if there is no cooperation from the people and villages, then the works of the department would also be affected and that the people would suffer. “As one of the basic necessities, water source and supply should be specially considered,” he said.
The minister informed that by 2013-14 all remaining uncovered rural government schools would be provided with water supply and all schools without toilets would be provided with toilets. The minister asserted that the completion of augmentation of water supply to Kohima town would be a milestone achievement of the department. He informed that a total of 5.3 million litres of water per day would be supplied to Kohima town. Further, the minister sought the active support of the officers and staff to rededicate themselves in achieving the goals set by the department and the government.
The minister also stressed on the need to focus on service delivery and to step up revenue collection. As per reports, he informed that the department has exceeded its target for the year ending 2013. He added, “Now we have to keep a target to achieve Rs. 2 crore in the coming year.”
