Advisor for Civil Administration Works Division (CAWD), Kudecho Khamo, has called for greater coordination among departmental officials, timely preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and improved infrastructure to strengthen administrative services across Nagaland.
Khamo made the remarks during a coordination meeting with CAWD officials at the department’s conference hall in Kohima on Wednesday, where he welcomed the posting of the new Assistant Chief Engineer (ACE), Er Ketuoselie Kenguruse.
Emphasising the close relationship between engineers and administrative officers, Khamo said CAWD engineers worked closely with administrative departments, while administrative officers served as the face of the government. He said both roles were interconnected and required mutual understanding and cooperation.
Asserting that their work was a responsibility entrusted by God, he urged engineers, irrespective of their positions, to carry out their duties sincerely in serving the people and the government.
He said elected representatives and government officials had different roles but shared the responsibility of serving the people, and called upon officials to discharge their duties with dedication, a positive attitude and a sense of joy.
Highlighting the extensive administrative network across Nagaland’s 17 districts, Khamo pointed out that the administration extended from Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to Extra Assistant Commissioners (EACs) at various headquarters. He acknowledged the difficult working and living conditions faced by administrative officers in some parts of the state, particularly the lack of adequate infrastructure and residential facilities.
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He said the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, was working to improve these facilities gradually, acknowledging that the process could not be completed all at once, to enable officers to discharge their responsibilities with dignity.
Khamo also acknowledged officers who worked under difficult circumstances, including those who maintained facilities with limited resources and, at times, spent their own money to ensure continued public service. He stressed that government officials and citizens alike had a collective responsibility to protect and maintain government and public property.
He underscored the importance of preparing Detailed Project Report (DPRs) on time to facilitate the execution and timely completion of projects, adding that infrastructure development needed to keep pace with the requirements of the state’s administrative machinery.
Khamo also expressed concern over instances where landowners continued to create obstacles to government projects despite having handed over their land after receiving due compensation and employment benefits. Describing such practices as traditionally wrong and morally sinful, he said they hindered development.
Furthermore, Khamo called upon CAWD officials to work collectively and in coordination, with each officer fulfilling their respective responsibilities to improve the delivery of public services and support infrastructure development across the state.
Earlier, Vekhoyi Chakhesang, Deputy Commissioner from the Office of the Commissioner, Nagaland, welcomed the new Assistant Chief Engineer and emphasised the need to address the requirements of administrative officers posted in the districts.
ACE Ketuoselie Kenguruse led the meeting, during which engineers shared updates on various works and reviewed the progress of ongoing projects.
