SEB updates group on progress of Baleh hydroelectric project
KUCHING: Engaging communities to ensure their views and aspirations are taken into account is a crucial component of good project development.
The Baleh Community Consultative Committee ( PKPB), representing the views and aspirations of the Baleh community, was updated on the progress of the Baleh hydroelectric project ( HEP) and the long-term community investment initiatives being planned and carried out by Sarawak Energy at a briefing here recently.
Kapit MP and PKPB advisor Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Bukit Goram assemblyman and also PKPB chairman Jefferson Jamit Unyat, political secretary to the Chief Minister Tapah Ata and Temenggong Datuk James Jimbun Pungga were among those in attendance.
Representing Sarawak Energy were head of corporate social responsibility Jiwari Abdullah, Tan Chuan Ngan, Baleh HEP project director and staff from both the CSR and project team.
According to a press release, the session addressed issues on local content and social investment programmes done in collaboration with the people of Nanga Entawau and Baleh.
Sarawak Energy executive vicepresident of corporate services Aisah Eden believed that Sarawak Energy and the people of Baleh and Nanga Entawau would be able to work together to come up with a long-term programme that best suited the communities and one that addressed their real needs.
“To ensure Sarawak Energy applies international sustainability best practices, we are guided by the sustainability protocols of the International Hydropower Association. Regular stakeholder engagement based on the principle of free, prior and informed consultation allows the communities the right to voice their views and grievances on the proposed project.
“We are also applying lessons from our previous projects with each new project that we undertake. Through engagement and interaction at Murum, we are able to develop sustainable programmes that have been successful in meeting the needs and aspirations of the communities. We are looking to develop similar long term partnerships for the people of Baleh and Nanga Entawau,” she added.
For Baleh HEP, Sarawak Energy is developing skill training programmes and exploring other focus areas for community investment initiatives, in consultation with PKPB to come up with a well-structured programme best suited to the community.
Jiwari said training and internship of youths from Baleh and Kapit was aimed at maximising local benefits by ensuring young people were ready for the jobs to be created.
“The Baleh project is going to create spin- offs like job creation. We want to prepare the young people from the area to be employable and ready to maximise socio- economic (opportunities) beneficial to the local community.
“These jobs are in the form of infrastructure and facility construction such as the operators’ village, civil works, maintenance, transmission and distribution works, biomass removal and the supply of goods and services.
“Working with the committee, we were able to set up the ‘Baleh Youth Skill Training’ (programme) to equip young people from the area with the skills needed to take up employment opportunities in the future,” he said.
Skills taught include welding, scaffolding, handling heavy vehicles and machinery, safety, rigging/ slinging/ working at heights as well as courses on electrical, mechanical, administration, human resources and entrepreneurship skills.
All the courses have been identified as relevant to the project from implementation to completion.
The courses will be conducted in collaboration with the local institutions.
Formed in 2012, PKPB is a registered consultative body with representation from Nanga Entawau and Baleh to look into and safeguard the welfare of the communities in Nanga Entawau and Baleh.
Deputy Chief Minister and Baleh assemblyman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing and Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong are PKPB advisors.