By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Nov 5: Experts and consultants, and not a by layman, have assured that Bengoh dam is completely safe, said Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
“Bengoh Dam is 100 per cent safe. It is not said by a layman but by consultants. It has been properly explained. The so-called allegation (by the opposition) is not true as there is proper agreement and by third-party consultants and so on. And the report has been given out.
“The seepage has been corrected and there is no issue of instability of the dam. It has been certified by consultants,” Dr Rundi told reporters today when commenting on a motion to be tabled by Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How during the current State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting.
He added that he would be ready to defend his statement regarding this issue if Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar allowed the motion to be tabled.
On State Budget 2019, the Kemena assemblyman said the massive allocation of RM2.8 billion for treated water supply for water-stressed areas and another whopping RM2.3 billion for electricity supply projects could be achieved with the proper mechanism in place.
“I hope Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) and JBALB (Rural Water Supply Department) will deliver these projects in the next two years. I know it’s tough to implement, but the Sarawak government is giving us its full support and manpower. So, we have to find a mechanism to expedite these projects in the next two years,” added Dr Rundi.
He also hoped that by 2020, the state could resolve issues plaguing water-stressed areas to at least 75 per cent from the current 67 per cent
At the same time, his ministry is also implementing the standalone Sarawak Alternative Water Supply (SAWAS) programme in remote areas.
On electricity supply, Dr Rundi said the previous federal government assisted the state from 2009 to 2016 to achieve 91 per cent power supply coverage.
“As for electricity supply, we hope that by 2025, we will achieve 100 per cent coverage,” he said. — DayakDaily
