By Ling Hui
KUCHING, May 8: The Stapang Water Treatment Plant upgrading project, approved by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in April 2016, is reported to still be under planning stage after eight years.
Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang said the project has seen no progress despite him raising the same issue repeatedly in every Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting.
“Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has approved to upgrade Stapang water treatment plant and laying of pipe within those areas in April 2016 at Andrewson Ngalai longhouse in Sekuau, Selangau during PRN11 (11th Sarawak Election).
“Since then, every DUS sitting, I repeatedly raised this issue as to when construction of the project will be started or implemented. The answer given has always been, the project is still under planning stage.
“This was about eight years ago,” said Gira when tabling the Motion of Appreciation for the Head of State’s (TYT) address at the august House here today.
He expressed concern over the welfare of his constituents in the affected areas as they have been denied clean and treated water for their daily use when everyone should already be enjoying treated water in this decade.
Thus, he appealed to the government to pick up the issue and if necessary, appoint competent officers so that some progress could be seen on this long outstanding matter.
“The mentioned problem also applies to the proposed upgrading of Selangau Water Treatment Plant and laying of pipe along Selangau-Bintulu road, along Ulu Selangau road and Dijih Baoh road whereby the budget was approved and so far, still at the planning stage even after two years.
“Once again, it is my hope for these two projects’ implementation to start soon,” said Gira. — DayakDaily
