Significant developments taking place in Eastern Nagaland: Rio

DUDA guest house at Sovima inaugurated

Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | June 14

After a lapse of almost 10 years since the blueprint for a guesthouse in Dimapur under the Department for Underdeveloped Areas (DUDA) was formulated in 2012, Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland, inaugurated the building on June 14 at Sovima village.   

Rio, who is also the minister-in-charge of the department, during his speech, stated that DUDA has been functioning for 19 years, during which there have been significant developments taking place within the Eastern Nagaland region. 

He said that today, there were numerous individuals from Eastern Nagaland cracking competitive exams such as the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) and holding top positions within the government. Further highlighting how there were 6 students from the region who made it to the top 20 positions in the recently declared HSLC examination, he said, “That means you are doing much better than even the advanced tribes.” 

Rio also noted that the lands of Eastern Nagaland are rich in ‘biodiversity and culture’ so it has the potential to become a major tourism hotspot. 

He therefore encouraged upon the people to promote their products and skills to a wider market, utilising the IT and training sectors for women to providing them viable employment opportunities. He also lauded the increase in the number of Self Help Groups (SHGs), 318, who have availed various schemes through DUDA to increase production in various food products grown in the Eastern areas. 

“DUDA department should be a game-changer and that is only possible through the elected legislators,” he maintained. 

The Chief Minister also made a point about producing home-grown poultry livestock and fisheries by way of constructing breeding farms and making feeds; commenting that the dependence for meat products from outside the state has major health risk factors.   

“Since this department is doing a lot of things, I want you to do viable specific projects and through which loans and other schemes will be provided by the government,” he announced. 

He therefore called upon the leaders and individuals gathered at the programme to “collectively give our services to the people.”     

Meanwhile, S Pangnyu Phom, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, and Convenor of the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union, stated that the proper functioning of the guest house would depend on the individuals running the place. He urged the responsible authorities to take care of the facility. 

Phom remarked that DUDA has provided a lot of development to the Eastern areas. Hence, he requested the department and the Chief Minister, “if you can plan out such facilities in all the district headquarters of the Eastern areas, it would bring a lot of benefit to the poor and downtrodden people.” 

Tsapikiu Sangtam, President, Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation said that the guest house will be beneficial both economically and socially as well for the people the Eastern region. He thanked the village leaders of Sovima village for providing the land and letting them feel welcomed within their land. 

Representatives from the Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation shared their appreciation to the government for the keen interest and responsibility shown in protecting the rights and properties of the underprivileged sections of the society in a cosmopolitan city like Dimapur. 

Shahoto Yimkhiung, President, Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Union Dimapur, appealed for the funding scheme under DUDA to be changed so that an accurate scheme will be aimed for the benefit of the common people of Eastern Nagaland. 

On the occasion, Sebastian Zumvu, Chairperson, Village Council, Sovima, said that “we are a conglomeration of all the tribes of Nagaland. This is an Angami village, but it has opened its arms to make every individual feel that Sovima is as much a part of them as it is for us.” 

Accordingly, he anticipated that “with this inauguration, we feel that Sovima is the home of all the tribes of Nagaland. I hope that whoever stays here takes away fond and beautiful memories of their stay here.”

Earlier in the programme, KS Anden Konyak, Secretary, DUDA summarised the history for the construction of the DUDA guest house at Sovima. He said that the department purchased the plot of land with a partial construction for Rs 2.50 crore in December, 2012. The government allocated Rs 3.5 crore and Rs 4 crore under several schemes over the years as well. The work of constructing the building was awarded to SAATLZ Construction and Sons and Affluent Enterprise in February 2014 and November 2015 respectively. The amount of funds was utilised for construction of guest house building, internal electrification, internal water supply, security walls etc., he said. 

Furthermore the guest house has an accommodation space of three dormitories, four VIP suites, nine single rooms, one conference hall, a kitchen, VIP room and one mess hall.