Kohima, April 4 (DIPR): Minister for Urban Development and Higher & Technical Education Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu said that Nagaland has the highest rate of urbanization in the country for the past two decades, as according to the census of India. In this context over the years, the department has been putting effort to bring various development programmes to the State by way of conceptualising and taking up new programmes and projects throughout the State, he stated.
He said this at the inaugural programme of the Convention Centre at New Capital Complex, Kohima on April 4, gracing the occasion as chief guest.
Stating that the State urban local bodies are very new compared to other progressive States he felt the need for special attention and hard holding support of the recently started Regional Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies at Kohima, which is the first of its kind in the North East States. He also said that the department has already extended the Memorandum of Agreement with the All India Institute of Local Self Government, a Government of India undertaking to impart training and capacity building programmes to the Union Local Bodies in the State as well as other North East States and informed that the Centre shall start functioning very soon.
The Minister said that the Convention Centre is a long felt need of the State capital Kohima, and further said that conventions are not only social gatherings, but are important forums which attract various stakeholders and communities at the national and global level and generate substantial employment and revenue and also disseminate knowledge and awareness, he added. The absence of this kind of infrastructure has been an impediment for holding important knowledge and business meets, conventions and conferences of different magnitude at the national and prospective international level he further said.
Dr. Liezietsu also said that the department has been creating many important assets such as Town Halls, Market complexes, amenity centres, etc. He called upon the concern authorities for maintenance and proper use of the facilities. He said that the convention centre would soon be handed over to KMC for operation and maintenance as well as revenue collection. He appealed to the KMC to take best use of it for public service and put sincere effort towards its upkeep.
Dr. Liezietsu also said that the department had initiated for construction of a state-of-the-art convention centre under Special Plan Assistance to cater to wide range of activities such as cultural events, conference, convention, music concerts, dramas, exhibition, workshops and seminars for both small and large groups. The newly completed Convention Centre has a Central Hall with capacity of 200 persons, smaller conference hall, banquet halls, guest rooms, staff quarters, outdoor parking etc.
State Chief Secretary, Lalthara who also addressed the programme expressed his appreciation for creation of convention centre and also many other facilities which are coming up, such as town hall at PR Hill, NBCC Platinum Jubilee Hall, etc for the use and comfort of the future generation of the Nagas. He congratulated the Urban Development department for coming up with the convention centre.
The technical report was given by EE Urban Development, Er. Ketouzo Peseyie. Earlier the programme was chaired by Secretary, Urban Development, Neihu C. Thur who also delivered the welcome address. The invocation prayer was led by Pastor Naga Shisha Hoho Prayer Centre, Vezokho Vero and special number was presented by Avonuo and Ketou. Vote of thanks was proposed by Joint Director, Urban Development, S. Takatuba Aier.
