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by Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, July 13: It is the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication’s top priority to change all the ageing water pipes that are 30 and 40 years old in Sarawak, says its minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi.
Juliahi said that it is one of the solutions not only to minimise the complaints among the public but to reduce Non-Revenue Water (NRW) in the immediate future.
“I have had quite a discussion with Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg recently on replacing ageing pipes as one of our top priorities. I hope the relevant agencies can take note,” Juliahi said at the closing of the ‘Workshop on the Implementation Plan For The proposed Water Supply Projects Under Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030’ at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching today.
He explained that during the upgrading of the main pipe and installation of a new level water tank for the city under the Kuching Water Board, the ageing pipes burst when they opened the valves.
“These ageing pipes could not withstand the pressure and burst. It is a challenge we face meaning we need to replace these ageing pipes in a particular place.
“It is our top priority now as we can reduce the complaints of consumers apart from reducing our NRW in the immediate future.”
Julaihi explained that water supply is one of the seven enablers that are the backbone to develop six economic sectors identified under PCDS 2030.
“We need at least RM 20 billion to achieve a fully treated water supply of 100 per cent coverage in line with the PCDS 2030 target.”
He shared that to deal with serious water supply problems and water pressure problems, especially in the rural areas of Sarawak, the State government has allocated as much as RM4 billion in funds to implement various projects.
“Most of it has already been completed, while the rest is still being implemented.
“The treated water supply coverage for urban areas is almost 100 per cent and the rural areas about 74 per cent. On average, treated water supply coverage in all of Sarawak is about 87 per cent,” he added.
His deputy Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, the ministry’s permanent secretary Jafri Lias and Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) director Chang Kuet Shian were among those present at the event. — DayakDaily
