Water supply project to benefit some 50 longhouses in Beluru

Source of News: http://www.theborneopost.com/2017/11/20/water-supply-project-to-benefit-some-50-longhouses-in-beluru/

MIRI: Some 50 longhouses in Beluru District will be able to enjoy clean water supply once the RM69-million Rural Water Supply Project for the area is fully completed by end of October next year.

The project will benefit more than 1,000 households in the longhouses, Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi said.

Speaking to the longhouse folk when officiating at the Earth Breaking Ceremony for the Rural Water Supply Project for Beluru District at Rh. Pengabang, Sungai Seruas in Bakong on Saturday, Dr Rundi said the project was under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKLW).

“Hopefully, at least half or a third of the total recipients of the project would able to enjoy clean water supply before the Gawai celebration next year.

“In order to ensure the smooth implementation of the project, it is important for the people to allow the pipe installation works to be carried out in their respective areas.”

At the same time, he advised the longhouse folks to continue to cooperate with the state government in order to ensure that issues concerning their basic needs such as electricity and clean water supply can be resolved soon.

He added that the state government was serious in getting every household to have access to clean water.

“In the old days when there were not many development activities, the people normally got water from rivers, lakes and wells for their daily usage including for drinking and cooking.

“However, the water is not safe for humans to consume directly. That’s why Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department has been set up in effort to resolve the water supply issue in the state comprehensively.

“We have to ensure the water sources that we get are being treated properly and safe for human consumption.”

He said the rural water supply project started on May 2 this year and would take about 78 weeks to complete.

With a total pipeline length of approximately 126 km, it is divided into seven main pipelines covering Bakong, Beluru Bazaar and areas along Jalan Beluru and Jalan Long Teru.

It is a project under Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB).

Also present were Dr Rundi wife’s Datin Sri Loreta Rundi, Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, Assistant Minister of Water Supply Datuk Liwan Lagang, Baram MP Anyie Ngau, Miri Resident Sherrina Hussaini, Beluru district officer Mohd Rashdan Hazemi and Tuai Rumah Pengabang Janang.

Source of News: http://www.theborneopost.com/2017/11/20/water-supply-project-to-benefit-some-50-longhouses-in-beluru/