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KUCHING, Sept 13: The Sarawak government has allocated RM260 million earlier for Serian Regional Project Package 1 and 2 projects to resolve water woes in Kampung Telagus and Balai Ringin.
Balai Ringin assemblyman Datuk Snowdan Lawan expressed confidence that the water supply problem in Kampung Telagus and Balai Ringin will be resolved upon completion of the Serian Regional Phase 2 project.
He thanked Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah for highlighting the people’s problems with regards to water supply problems in Kampung Telagus during His Majesty stopover and meet-the-people session during the ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ royal tour along the Pan Borneo Highway yesterday.
“Kampung Telagus is situated in my Balai Ringin constituency and is one of the many kampung throughout the State which is being affected by water supply problems.
“I have, quite often, highlighted this issue to the agency and through my media statements and also during my meet-the-people sessions to the Tuai Rumah accordingly so that they can update and inform their rakyat.
“At the same time, I also wish to thank the GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) State government which had granted funding totalling RM260 million earlier for both Package 1 and 2 projects to resolve this problem in the long run,” said Snowdan in a statement.
He explained that Package 1 involves the supply of treated water from Slabi Water Treatment Plant in Serian to Simpang Simunjan.
The scope of work consists of laying a main pipe line, and reticulation and communication pipes to every household and to consumers in that area.
A high level water tank with 3MLD (million litres daily) capacity will also be built at Melikin. The project is estimated to cost RM100 million, funded by a grant from the Sarawak government.
Package 2, Snowdan said, will involve laying of a main pipe line, and reticulation and communication pipes to every households and consumers from Simpang Simunjan, Sabal, Bukit Punda until Simunjan.
It also consists of the construction a high level water tank with a 1.8 MLD capacity at Sabal/ Bukit Punda and a booster pump station at Simpang Simunjan, as well as a high level water tank with a 2.6 MLD capacity.
The Phase 2 project is estimated to cost RM160 million and also funded with a Sarawak government grant.
“The tender for Package 1 is scheduled for next month. Land acquisition for the high level water tank is completed and the handover has been done.
“Thereafter, the construction of the pipeline can proceed in view that the major scope of work is the pipeline while the building plan for high level water tanks is being done simultaneously,” said Snowdan who is also Deputy Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister.
He stressed that the above is to provide long-term solutions to treated water supply problems in the Balai Ringin constituency.
For short-term measures, he said, the Resident’s Office, the Sub-District Office and the District Office together with Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) are sending water tankers to help supply water to the villages during the drought season.
The King had highlighted Kampung Telagus as one of two areas in need of water supply when speaking at a State banquet held at Pullman Hotel here last night (Sept 12).
During His Majesty’s road trip along the Pan Borneo Highway in conjunction with the ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ royal tour, he noted that the rural folk are still in need of basic facilities and thus called on the federal and State governments to play a more effective role in solving this problem. — DayakDaily
