The Wokha Town Council (WTC), on December 20, dedicated and inaugurated its newly upgraded office building. The inaugural was graced by Y.Patton, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister In-charge of Home and Border Affairs, Government of Nagaland, as the Special Guest.

Extending Christmas greetings, Patton advised the elected councillors and government nominees to pursue their services for the welfare and development of the town and the people. He also guided the WTC members dedicate themselves and adhere to the Nagaland Municipal Act 2022 in order to effectively deliver their powers and functions.

He urged the members of WTC to be united and collective in delivering development programmes, including all members on board, and to set an example for other municipal councils in the state. Patton acknowledged Neiphiu Rio, the Chief Minister of Nagaland, for his vision and dedication in realizing the long-overdue ULB election after a gap of two decades. He also expressed that the Nagaland government is an opposition-less government, stating that it was to embrace and give due authority and strength to the much-anticipated Naga political settlement, which was the idea of the visionary leader of the state, the Chief Minister of Nagaland.

Delving on the present state of proliferation of Naga political groups, Patton expressed that this is only damaging and delaying the political settlement of Nagaland. In this regard, he appealed all the Naga National Political workers work unitedly towards the much-anticipated Naga political settlement.

In his speech, Patton acknowledged Advisor for Urban Development & Municipal Affairs Zhaleo Rio, for an inclusive vision in developing all municipals and town councils in the state. He expressed appreciation to the members of WTC for utilizing the funds judiciously in upgrading the office, while also appealing them to continue utilizing funds for the progress and development of the town.

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Special invitee Dr. Chumben Murry, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Senior Vice President & Coordinator NDPP,  spoke on the need for leaders to have farsighted vision where he advised the gathering to adopt good self-governance from neighboring states and districts. “Make Wokha town a smart town by adopting and implementing funds and programmes judiciously,” said Murry.

With the present government in Nagaland being opposition-less government, where NDPP and BJP have been prime alliance partners since 2003, and other political parties provide outside support, Dr. Murry encouraged the WTC office to be public-friendly and accessible for the people, reminding that the office is to serve the people. He informed all councillors that they are next to legislative assembly members for governance and executing government programmes, urging them to be well-versed with the Nagaland Municipal Act 2022.

Cautioning about the anti-defection laws, Dr. Murry  exhorted the members to execute their duties responsibly collectively. He also congratulated the new members of WTC government nominees.

The dedication of the upgraded building was conducted by Rev. Tsopemo Ngullie while the event was chaired by Nzano P. Kikon, Deputy Chairperson of WTC, and a welcome address delivered by Hapenthung P. Ezung, Councillor of WTC. Short speeches were presented by Khozano Lotha, Chairperson of WTC, and Renbomo Ezung, Additional Deputy Commissioner & Executive Officer of WTC.