218 water supply projects approved under 11MP

A TOTAL of 218 water supply projects have been approved with an initial provision of RM3.54 billion ceiling under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).

Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said these 218 projects were from the 795 proposed under the 11MP. They are set to benefit an additional 79,130 households in the state.

“My ministry will strive to implement all the approved projects successfully and pursue with the application of more funds in the mid-term review of the 11MP,” he said in his winding-up speech yesterday.

Awang Tengah told the august House that the state had increased the coverage of treated water supply to 80 per cent from 68 per cent at the start of the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP).

He conceded the cost to extend water supply deeper into the rural areas had increased tremendously because some areas were so remote they could not be connected to any major regional supply networks.

Alternative systems had been implemented for some remote areas and such efforts would continue in order to benefit more rural folks.

On specific issues, Awang Tengah said water supply projects would be implemented in several areas, including Daro, Jemoreng, Bawang Tian, Engkilili, Kidurong, Selangau, Tatau and Tamin, Bukit Kota, Krian, Lingga, Pantai Damai and Semop.

Among the works was constructing water pipes in these areas to connect villagers to the respective water supply networks, he added.

To immediately resolve the water supply problem at SMK Senibong in Opar, he said Kuching Water Board and Rural Water Supply Department were working closely to ensure sufficient water from Matang Treatment Plant feed the Sempadi Booster Station.

He added that several projects would be carried out to ensure a more reliable water supply from Batu Kitang Treatment Plant to Bau-Lundu-Sematan areas, including SMK Senibong.

“We will have a dedicated 8km pipeline from Reservoir No.2 to Siburan junction, a 5.5km pipeline from Stenggang Reservoir to the starting point of the Batang Kayan project to supply Lundu-Sematan-Biawak areas, and implement non-Revenue Water Management in Bau area.”

To address interconnection between Kuching and Sebangan, Sebuyau and other coastal settlements, Awang Tengah said the work scope had been included in the proposed Samarahan Coastal Regional Water Supply Project.

“This will be implemented in the 11MP, with an estimated cost of RM200 million.”

December 15, 2015, Tuesday
Borneo Post