Emilo Khuvung
Tuensang | February 4
Parliamentary Secretary for Irrigation Y Patton has expressed displeasure at the workmanship on a number of projects of the Irrigation department, Tuensang division. He was referring to the Chenyak MI project at Noksen village and Maya MI project at Litem village, falling under Tuensang District.
It is learned that the Warokok MI Project at Yimrup village is yet to begin adding to the disappointment of the parliamentary secretary. The projects are expected to be completed as soon as investigations have been undertaken. The three projects were due to be completed by December 2011 but were abandoned ‘due to logistic problems’.
The Chenyak MI Project covers 158 hectares of land and left around 2 Kms to get through road connectivity while the Maya MI project covers 153 hectares of land.
Patton visited both the sites yesterday along with Legislator H Chuba, Principal Secretary R Benchilo Thong, Additional Chief Engineer Echongbemo Lotha and other officials of the department. The legislator said he is “dissatisfied” of the work and that he will convene a meeting immediately with the department’s officials. He will investigate, he said, and assured the villagers that the project will be restored within a couple of months time.
The parliamentary secretary said there is no distinction of any political parties as long as development can be attained smoothly though proper coordination. He urged the villagers to extend cooperation to the department to carry out project works at the earliest.
During an informal meeting held with Noksen and Litem villagers at the project site, MLA H. Chuba thanked the parliamentary secretary for showing his concern by personally visiting the site. He said the Chenyak MI project will be sufficient for Dikhu valley and the farmers there. The envisaged level of harvest could not be achieved for a long time due to water scarcity, he said.
The MLA also lamented that the department ‘didn’t show their sincerity over the project’ and said any project for the people should be considered seriously ‘with sincerity and dedication.’ He appealed to the villagers and farmers to cooperate with the department in concern so that the works may be done smoothly. Villagers and farmers of the villages of Noksen and Litem village hoped that the irrigation projects are completed at the earliest and help improve the lives of the farmers.
