The inauguration of the Angami Gazetted Officers Krotho (AGOK) multi utility centre was held at AGOK Badze Meriema on May 29 with Chief Minister of Nagaland Dr. Neiphiu Rio who inaugurated the building.

In  his speech, Rio thanked the AGOK members for  their vision and their good work, working for the benefit do the people. “Living in the capital is already a great blessing to us so we should also think about being a blessings to other tribes. If a person succeed in life, the whole community gets the benefits. The AGOK is a pride of our community, directly or indirectly helping a lot of people and continue being a blessing to the people,” said Rio.

The Chief Minister also expressed concern over Naga society’s dependency on the government to make a living. “Having a government job and not going to work has become  a trend in the state and it is still practised by some which is very discouraging,” rued Rio who shared the need to pursue jobs beyond the government sector.

In recent years, Rio viewed that, the public is coming to realisation that they can make a living through entrepreneurship, and life skills. Therefore, he encouraged people to apply for the Chief Ministers Micro Finance Initiative (CMMFI) and other finance assistance.

Highlighted his recent trip to Delhi attending the Northeast investment summit, Rio stated that the biggest hurdles for investors in Nagaland is the petroleum, mineral and natural gas land ownership. Citing the pending legal disputes, the CM stated that companies cannot proceed to invest without legal clarity while highlighting the potential of the mining and geology sectors.

During the inauguration, Rio also drew attention over absenteeism in government services, calling the practice of drawing salaries without actual work “unacceptable and detrimental to development.”

The unresolved Naga issue, according to the Chief Minister, is the stumbling block for Nagaland’s development. “Unless, we come together and in unity, there will be no solution. We need to work as ‘team Nagaland’  not only the factions but the whole Naga in general should come together and bring in a solution. There are so many faction but there will   be only one solution which will be achieved if we have one voice. To bring solution it is not  the political groups but it is the public to work together to bring solution,” said Rio.

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On the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), Rio asserted that the real responsibility lies with the grassroots i.e. the Village Council and the nearest administrative officer who will be certifying the person for issuance of Indigenous Certificate from Deputy Commissioner’s Office. “The ownership is with the village council to give the right certification of the person to avoid any penalties and the administrative officers should be aware of the amendment of the Village Council and Tribal Council Act and guide the district people. And if any village authority is defaulting the authority, it becomes a criminal case,” said Rio.

He further added, “For Nagas in Nagaland everything is in place but we also cannot leave the four tribes Kuki, Garo, Mikir, Kachari so there is a different consideration for them.”

The Chief Minister also advised that every local  house owners should take caution to check their own tenants on possession of genuine ILP. “Once we start strict enforcement, everything will slowly fall into its place. Discussion is going on for all these issues in details with all the stakeholders and we will put the system in place. If the people  work together, it will get better,” said Rio.

Er. Kezhazelhou Theünuo, Convenor, AGOK Badze highlighted the report of the building. In his greetings, Theja Vihienuo, President, APO highlighted several concerns regarding Nagaland’s job reservation policy for the backward tribe, illegal immigrants and its impact on the State’s economy, and Registration of Indigenous people of Nagaland. He urged for concerted efforts with organisations such as AGOK to tackle these concerns. The event was chaired by Er. Asono M. Savino, Vice President, AGOK, with Rev. Vilodi Sakhrie Pastor, Town Baptist Church, Dimapur blessing the inaguaration with a prayer, and Nongozo Rikha, General Secretary AGOK pronouncing the vote of thanks.