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MLA and Advisor Mmhonlumo Kikon addressing the 6th annual lecture of Sazolie College held on September 30. (Photo Courtesy: Sazolie College)
Sazolie College 6th annual lecture deliberates on ‘Absenteeism in government offices and good governance’
Kohima, September 30 (MExN): The 6th annual lecture of Sazolie College was held on September 30, with Mmhonlumo Kikon, MLA and Advisor, Information Technology and Communication, Science and Technology and New and Renewable Energy, as the speaker on the topic, “absenteeism in government offices and good governance.”
Kikon began his talk by dwelling on the definition and meaning of good governance and work culture stating that understanding these concepts first would aid one in dealing with the problem of absenteeism in government offices and help to understand the requirements for good governance.
He stated that the government job is the most coveted job in the state as it provides security and a handsome salary. In addition, the absence of a government employee from office or his performance or non-performance does not affect his monthly salary unlike in the private sector. Another reason why people seek government jobs is because the idea of doing well in life is ill-defined by the society. For good governance to take place, he maintained that it also greatly depends on the citizens and the electorate as they are the ones choosing and electing their leaders after all.
Although it becomes very easy to blame the leaders for any problem in the society, he opined that it is the collective responsibility of the people and the elected leaders to bring about good governance.
Talking about absenteeism, he stated that the government is the biggest employer; however, due to the prevalence of absenteeism in government offices, in many instances it affects and hampers the effective functioning of the government offices.
He challenged the students to question the appropriate authorities and tackle the problem of absenteeism and the menace of proxy appointments in their own respective places, districts or villages. He also stressed on the problems connected to curbing absenteeism in government offices and cited several instances. In most cases, family ties or connections and even intimidations and threats from various quarters become a big hurdle in tackling this problem.
Absenteeism in the government offices adversely affects the people and the government in all areas. The cooperation and participation of the citizens plays a big role in the success of any policy or plans of the government, he added.
After his talk, Kikon interacted with the students and answered the various queries posed by them. He challenged them to work hard and become employable graduates after their studies. He also encouraged them to be honest and stand up for what is right as they can play a vital role in bringing about good governance and positive changes in the society.
The host college is a press release stated that the programme was chaired by Aphrenuo Pienyu, HoD, Department of Sociology and Dr. Kangzangding Thou, Principal, gave the introduction. Therinyio Epao, BA Semester V presented a special song and Nzanthung Kikon, Chaplain, said the invocation.
