KAPIT: Pelagus State Assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang yesterday officiated at the thanksgiving and blessing ceremony for the Rural Electricity Supply (RES) project held at the junction of Jalan Ulu Sungai Sut/Jalan Bena, Sungai Antaroh, Sut, Baleh here.
Nyabong disclosed the RM24 million RES project will benefit three longhouses namely RumahJugah Emperan, Rumah Belikau and Rumah Sanggau here. The project commenced after Gawai Dayak this year and scheduled to be completed in March 2018.
“The RES is to provide 24-hour electricity supply from the State Grid to three longhouses namely RumahJugah, Rumah Belikau and Rumah Sanggau along Jalan Ulu Sungai Sut, Baleh here. But before the works (installation) commenced, today we have this thanksgiving and blessing ceremony to ensure the project is implemented smoothly,” said Nyabong. He pointed out that RES is one of the government initiatives to provide electricity to the rural communities.
“Besides that, there is also an underwater cable to supply electricity (across the rivers) to Rumah Minggat and Rumah Ukau. They have the electricity supply from the other side of the river. In places where the longhouses are connected by road, they will also benefit from the RES project through the State Grid while for remote cluster of longhouses the installation of ‘Solar Energy’ is an option. This is the basic infrastructure to the rural communities provided by the government besides water and road infrastructure,” added Nyabong.
He recalled the project was slightly delayed earlier because initially the landowners from the front side of the main road disallowed entry for the contractor. “After I negotiated with them (landowners) they understand the benefit of the project to the communities especially their own relatives and friends and today we proceed; that is why today we have this thanksgiving and blessing ceremony,” explained Nyabong yesterday.
