SUBIS: A total of 219 water supply projects in various areas statewide have been successfully completed.
In stating this, Minister of Utilities and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi disclosed that there are still 69 projects in the construction stage, while the remaining nine projects are still in the planning phase.
“The state government through my ministry and Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) as the implementing agency and the federal government through the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KPLB) are always committed to ensuring that clean water supply is ably distributed in the whole Sarawak.
“However, providing it statewide is very challenging due to the geographical location of the state.
“But this does not dampen the state’s effort under the leadership of the Premier to provide clean water supply to all rakyat including those in the remote rural areas,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the completion of the water supply project in Kampung Lajong and Rumah Malim here yesterday.
As such, he pointed out that the state government through his ministry and JBALB has planned a water supply development in Sarawak based on the Water Supply and Water Grid Master Plan up until the year 2070.
“The Sarawak Water Supply Grid System is a holistic and comprehensive long-term plan aimed at improving the existing water supply system in Sarawak by connecting water supply sources from each part to another.
“When this project is implemented, the issue of water supply will be resolved completely and at the same time, it will be a driver for the water industry in Sarawak,” he said.
Meanwhile, touching on the programme itself, he revealed that the federal funded water supply project amounting to RM4.14 million in Kampung Lajong and Rumah Malim has finally reached its completion.
While pointing out that the water supply is 16.45km long, he said that it will benefit about 600 residents in the area.
“This high-impact project has several components that need to be implemented such as the construction of water storage tanks, high-level tanks, installation of new pipelines and other infrastructure works that are still in the construction phase.
“In order to guarantee a more sustainable quality of water supply in Miri Division including Subis District, JBALB Sarawak will ensure that the projects that are currently in the implementation stage will be completed within the set time frame.
“The projects will be part of the Sarawak Water Supply Grid System inspired by our Premier to solve water supply issues effectively and comprehensively in the state,” he said.
