CLEANEST ULBs AND WARDS AWARD HELD

State function for cleanest ULBs and Wards award- 2022 Nagaland was organized by Urban Development Department at Capital Convention Center, Kohima on 28th June 2022 with Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio as the special guest.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the competition is a challenge for everyone and it would carry a positive message. He stressed the need for awareness & cleanliness to make Nagaland garbage-free and added that the movement should become a way of life. Rio called for awareness from the village level to cities. He highlighted the need for innovations and initiatives in urban areas with proper roads, drainage, waste management, etc. He also informed that he would be taking up with the Department of School Education for imparting cleanliness to students as it is a civic duty.

Rio lamented that towns in Nagaland face many problems due to the lack of proper town planning. He stated that there is a mad rush of urbanization where people come to the urban areas for various opportunities and there is a need to cope with the demands. When urbanization comes, the economy grows, he added. Rio also highlighted the need for parks in towns across the State. He called for a combined effort from all sections of society to make a difference.

The Chief Minister also released the Assessment Report and gave away the awards to the winners during the programme.

Delivering the keynote address, Advisor, Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire, said that giving the awards to Cleanest Urban Local Bodies and Ward was decided in 2021 and added that it was a suitable occasion to encourage the ULBs and Wards who are not doing very well.

Stressing the waste management problem, he said that it was a huge task to segregate and separate wastes and he encouraged the people to work together in overcoming this obstacle. Kire said more awareness of waste management is needed so that the environment becomes more liveable.

Kire thanked the Urban Local Bodies, Wards, and the administrators for coming up with innovative ideas and for working along with different organizations in keeping their town clean.

Best performing ULBs were awarded in three categories. In category 1, Chumoukedima Town Council was the winner while Pfutsero Town Council and Aboi Town Council came in as the winners in category 2 and category 3 respectively. Three special category awards were also given out: Best performer in terms of effort went to Tuensang Town Council; ULB with best innovative solutions went to Pfutsero Town Council while Tuli Town Council won ULB with best community mobilization.

Testimonials were shared by administrators, Thungchanbemo Tungoe, Chumlamo Humtsoe, and Japhet Woch. A visual presentation was presented by LiFE-NGO.

Principal Secretary, Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, I. Himato Zhimomi, who chaired the programme delivered the introductory note. Way Forward was presented by Additional Secretary, Urban Development, Elizabeth Ngully while the vote of thanks was proposed by Joint Director, Urban Development, Tarachu Fithu.

                                                           (Wepre, APRO & Tiakumla, IA)