KAPIT: Yesterday saw the RM8 million Sarawak Alternative Rural Electricity Scheme (SARES) project of Ulu Pelagus here being officially handed over to the initial few longhouses that benefit from it.
Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi who officiated at the symbolic ceremony handed over one key each to the five longhouse chiefs. The event was held at the conference room of the State Office Complex at Jalan Bleteh.
The Sungai Pelagus SARES Cluster 1, Phase One project has initially benefited five longhouses in Sungai Pelagus namely Rumah Majo, Ulu Iran; Rumah Jak, Nanga Stabau; Rumah Sekudan, Rantau Lelenga; Rumah George, Nanga Sebunut; and Rumah Antau, Karangan Ara, respectively.
This SARES here project provided 24-hours electricity supply to those five longhouses (mentioned above) comprising some 135 families (households) with 746 people having benefited from the scheme.
At the function, Nanta also handed over the document ‘Surat Aku Janji’(I Promise Letter) to the respective village chiefts to look after the SARES project that was erected at their respective longhouses.
Others present at the function included state assemblyman for Bukit Goram Jefferson Jamit Unyat, Kapit Resident Joseph Belayong, administrative officers from Kapit District Office Robert Anyaw and Mohd Wan Shukri, executive director operations of Helids Photovoltaic Sdn Bhd Niranpal Singh, officer from Ministry of Utility Robert Engkiau, officer from Sarawak Energy Bhd Christopher Wesley Ajan, Senior Private Secretary to the Deputy Minister Sylvester Insor Lingan, Deputy Minister’s Special Affairs Officer Ambrose Abong Bugek, Pemanca Enggin Nyipa, Penghulu Daniel Dian, Penghulu Pasang Tuba and Penghulu Esit Nalo.
Speaking to the press after the function, Nanta explained that Solar System now in the state is under the Ministry of Rural Electricity and Water Supply’s NBOS (National Blue Ocean Strategy) partnership with the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development Malaysia (KKLW) where the source of finance is 50 per cent from the State Government and 50 per cent from the KKLW.
He told that the first batch of SARES project was carried out in 2016 at various places throughout the state in Sarawak.
“The remote clusters of kampung or mainly longhouses in remote constituency throughout the state are given this alternative electricity supply system.
For instance place like Pelagus, there are five longhouses along Sungai Pelagus that involve five Solar Projects, one for each longhouse respectively,” said Nanta.
“The SARES project is very good and the people are very happy in this place. SARES programme is continuing and there will be more remote longhouses going to be given the same type of project involving more households, kampungs or longhouses throughout the remote areas,” he stressed.
The Kapit MP added that these areas are chosen based on areas considered too remote and impossible in the near future or mid-term future to supply them with grid electricity supply.
“These are the areas not possible to bring in the grid system to provide power to them and therefore the government is willing to invest heavily in this Solar System so that the people in these remote longhouses can also enjoy 24-hour electricity supply,” he said.
Nanta pointed out that this Solar System is good enough, not just to power the bulbs, but other electrical items as well.
“So now they don’t have to look for food every day as food could be preserved in the refrigerator for few days and at the meantime they can tap rubber, going to their farms and can do many other things to earn income.
“This is crucial to me; it is very important that this Solar System is becoming a game changer to those people in terms of daily life and also how to facilitate them to better their standard of living in the future,” Nanta pointed out.
