6 districts of Nagaland to be ODF by July: Chotisüh Sazo

In a shift from department’s earlier stand, the Minister for Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Nagaland, Chotisüh Sazo, on Friday said that six districts in the state would be declared as Open Defecation Free (ODF) districts by July 2017 and other districts by 2017-18.
On May 25 last, PHE department had announced that six districts in the state– Dimapur, Kiphire, Longleng, Mokokchung, Zunheboto and Phek — would be declared as Open Defecation Free (ODF) districts by end of June 2017.
The minister was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural programme of sanitation workshop for women leaders organised by Angamimiapfü Mechü Krotho (AMK–Angami women organization) at AMK Ki Kohima.
Sazo also stressed on importance of sanitation and urged the people to keep their surroundings clean and healthy by maintaining proper sanitation.
The minister said the Central Rural Sanitation Program (CRSP) which started in the year 1986 concentrated only on the “poorest” section of the society which subsequently led to launching of total sanitation campaign on April 1, 1999 limited to Below Poverty Line (BPL) alone.
He said Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign was launched by the government of India on October 2, 2014 with the aim to reduce and eliminate open defecation through construction of individual, cluster and community toilets by October 2019.
Sazo said the national campaign covers 4,041 statutory cities and towns at a project cost of 1.96 lakh crore and that it has achieved 2, 11,723 (80%) out of targeting 2, 62,939 households.
Stating that the government alone cannot make Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign successful, the minister sought the cooperation of civil society organisations for successful implementation of the campaign.
 Also addressing the gathering, PHED, chief engineer, Er. Kevisekho Kruse said women leaders have a great role to play in making Swachh Bharat Abhiyan a success. He termed the campaign as a big challenge for the nation.
Director for water and sanitation support organization (WSSO) PHED Er. K.G. Sumi, said that there was more focus on women since they have a great r
ole in achieving the target. He encouraged the women leaders to continue the role of maintaining sanitation in their respective places.
The programme was led by AMK president, Ruokuoheü Miachieo, scripture reading and prayer was said by Parish priest SFS Kohima, Rev. Fr. Alex Vizo, special songs were presented by Keneisedenuo Zatsu and N Kevitho-u Chaya group, vote of thanks was said by AMK general secretary, Kevinguno Meyase while vote of thanks was delivered by former president AMK, Kevinourheno Seyie.
In the second session, resource persons advisor AMK Salhoutuonuo Kruse and vice principal Kohima College Thinuokhrieü Tseikha spoke on “sanitation and goo sanitary practices” and “waste management” respectively. Around hundred women leaders from all Angami villages under Kohima and Dimapur district participated in the workshop.