DALAT: The new Sarawak Women and Family Department (JWKS) Dalat office cum skills training centre will be operational before the end of this year.
Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said the building belonged to Usaha Cendera (a private company), and discussions had been held with the owner on the possibility of renting it to be used as office and skill training centre for women.
She added the Public Works Department (JKR) would make an estimate for renovation work to building, as it would be used as an office for JWKS@Dalat and a skill training centre for women.
“The government will provide allocation for renovation work and based on our experience, it will take five months to complete,” she said when visiting the building for the proposed JWKS@Dalat office and training centre here on Wednesday (March 24).
According to her, JWKS@Dalat office will be the seventh in Sarawak, beside Kuching, Serian, Sarikei, Sibu, Bintulu and Limbang.
Fatimah, who is also Dalat assemblywoman explained that the centre would train women on certain skills in order to help them generate and increase their income.
She hoped that preparations for that purpose would proceed smoothly, and God willing, the building would also house a gallery to exhibit the products produced by the women.
To a question, Fatimah said for the time being the ministry had decided to rent the building only, while the staff, who had been trained are currently in Kuching.
On the cost of renovation, she explained that it was not ready yet as the tender had not been opened.
The minister revealed that the former office was at the ground floor of the public library here, but not suitable because it’s prone to flood.
