Dimapur, January 18 (MExN): Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio is a ‘heartened’ at Nagaland registering a growth rate of 16% and 40% in petrol and diesel consumption respectively. The statement was made during a session of the Oil & Gas Conservation Fortnight organized by Oil Industry of India in Nagaland, being held January 15-Janaury 31.
“The fact that Nagaland has registered a growth rate of 16% and 40% in Petrol and Diesel consumption respectively during last fiscal year is indeed heartening,” a copy of the chief minister’s speech received here from the DIPR stated.
“This welcome trend,” the chief minister said, “has been due to the progress made by the state in different spheres of development including the road network in the state.” According to the CM, the Nagaland government has taken up many new road construction projects including conversion and strengthening of existing highways. “Thus with the rapid development of road infrastructure and growth in the economic activities, the consumption of fuel in the State is expected to go up even higher,” he said.
The chief minister explained that a direct outcome of various economic and infrastructural developments in the state is the expansion of the network of the oil companies in all the districts in both petroleum products and LPG retail.
“Once these retail outlets and LPG distributorships are well established, the consumption of petrol, diesel and LPG will certainly increase. However, alongside, what also needs to be borne in mind by us all is that of the shortfall of the commodity in terms of its demand and the cost it bears on the environment and take resource to its most judicious and efficient use,” he said.
Neiphiu Rio expressed confidence that the OGCF with its various conservation and mass awareness campaign programmes it propose to undertake would go a long way in “educating our people to adopt ways and means to effectively and efficiently use petroleum products while ensuring steady and sustained progress of economic and infrastructural developmental activities in the state.”
The chief minister appeals to all citizens of Nagaland to participate in the various activities being undertaken by the oil companies during the fortnight “to achieve savings for the nation and also in protecting the environment for the next generation.”
