By Brad Rantayy
MIRI, Sept 6: A total of seven high impact projects under the “Projek Rakyat” programme to better improve the water supply system in rural areas in Miri Division are at the implementation stage.
These projects are Miri Water Supply Source Development II project in Bakong; water supply to Kampung Sungai Teniku project; rehabilitation works at Niah Water Supply Authority; Tinjar clean water supply (Package I) and Tinjar clean water supply (Package II) projects; proposed new Marudi intake and laying of 355MM pumping main to existing watermain at Marudi; and 5.0ML high ground tank and upgrading of pumping system at the Bukit Song booster station.
Meanwhile, 11 other projects under Projek Rakyat have been collated while one project is at the planning stage, said Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication (Utility) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
He said this today during a press conference after chairing a meeting with Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) Miri.
Also present were local community leaders and various government representatives from Marudi and Baram.
On another note, Dr Abdul Rahman disclosed that the implementation of 35 high impact water supply projects worth RM887 million is currently underway to improve the water supply infrastructure and system in Miri Division.
“So far, 17 water supply projects funded by the Sarawak government and the federal government amounting to RM201 million have been completed and have solved several water supply issues in several areas in Miri Division, while 13 projects (RM483 million) are still in the implementation stage and have displayed very positive progress….in addition to that, there are five projects worth RM202 million are still at the planning stage,” he added.
The overall progress of 13 projects which are still in the implementation stage is encouraging despites challenges following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“JBALB Sarawak together with Ministry of Rural Development Malaysia have taken appropriate approaches to ensure that the water supply projects run smoothly and are completed according to schedule,” Dr Abdul Rahman disclosed.
He said, the projects which were delayed because of Covid-19 are expected to be completed by the end of 2023 and early 2024. — DayakDaily
