KUCHING: Sarawak is expected to achieve 100 percent coverage for electricity supply by the year 2022, three years earlier than targeted.
Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said this was sooner than the ministry’s target to achieve full electricity supply coverage by 2025.
“The target could be achieved sooner if it had not been for the Covid-19 pandemic which had halted many projects in the state due to the lack of workers as well as the implementation of various standard operating procedures (SOPs) and movement control order (MCO).
“Our comprehensive planning which includes urban and rural areas as well as thorough planning in implementation works will help us to achieve our target,” he said, adding that his ministry had the support of the state government to deliver what was best for the people of Sarawak.
Rundi said this in his speech during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in conjunction with Valuation Centre Certification and Training for Pipe Installation Licensing and Pipe Spray Licensing Courses at the ministry’s complex here today.
He also said a total of RM18 billion had been allocated under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) to implement water supply projects throughout the state.
He added that the allocation would ensure that the target of 100 percent water supply coverage could be achieved.
“In the 12MP we have many projects that have been proposed and will be implemented.
“Thus, the state government proposed for a high amount of allocation of RM18 billion beginning in 2021,” he said.
Rundi explained that the water supply projects included the Sarawak Water Supply System Master Plan and Water Grid System.
“This method allows us to solve the problem of lack of water supply that often occurs in some areas, especially coastal areas.
“Meanwhile, the Sarawak Alternative Water Supply (Sawas) project has been improved and there is a master plan to provide water supply in rural areas in the future,” he added.
