By Ma Chee Seng & Tania Matu
KOTA SAMARAHAN: The state and federal governments have budgeted a total of RM109.2mil for three projects to address water shortages in Gedong, Sebuyau and Simunjan, said Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
The Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication said that it was essential, especially when it was discovered that Simunjan’s major water supply dam was experiencing severe sedimentation, resulting in insufficient water supply in the area.
On yesterday (Oct 25), he visited two of the projects under the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department, noting that this was part of a more integrated water supply grid system for the southern zone.
“The first we saw earlier was a nearly completed improved water supply project for rural water delivery in Lubok Punggor, Lubok Buntin and Tanjung Sap, Samarahan Division, Gedong District.
“With a fund valuation of RM41.9mil, when this project is completed, it will benefit more than 350 households in an area of roughly around 20,000 people,” he told the media.
The second project, which is the connection and building of two pipes spanning across the Batang Sadong River, would be delayed for several months.
“Work is required to improve the bridge structure in order to lay two 600mm pipes.
“The Public Works Department (JKR) would take six to eight months to strengthen the bridge before the two pipes can be placed on the left and right side of the bridge,” he explained.
This pipe would bring water to Simunjan, and the second one is for Sebuyau District, costing RM57.9mil and expected to be completed early in the third or fourth quarter of 2023.
The third federal government project worth RM9.5mil is a rural water supply project focused on the reticulation system in 2016 under the Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB) aimed to replace existing pipes and is expected to be finished by the end of this year.
In future, the Simunjan area will have two sources of water, one from Kuching and one from Serian, ensuring that water supply is not a problem.
