Ministry to intensify rural public utility projects, says Dr Rundi
MIRI: The government will continue to intensify existing efforts to connect rural areas with public utilities such as electricity and clean water supply.
Minister of Rural Electricity and Water Supply Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the setting up of the Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS) would see an alternative approach to fund strategic projects in line with the state’s socioeconomic transformation catch-up plan (2017 to 2030).
“It is true that some of the rural areas in the state have yet to have electricity and clean water supply. Thus with the setting up of DBOS, the bank will be the financial source for us to speed up the implementation process of various infrastructure projects in the state,” he said when officiating at the 2017 Subis District Gawai Perdana in Bekenu on Friday.
Dr Rundi, who is also Kemena assemblyman, said the bank would also help the state government to improve existing public infrastructure including information communication technology (ICT).
“This is the challenge that we have to overcome accordingly. For example, the government wants to install 3,000 telecommunication towers to improve broadband penetration in the state. Although it would be a tough task, we will look at every means to improve Internet connectivity and broadband penetration especially in rural areas,” he said.
Dr Rundi also urged the people to safeguard the state’s unity and racial harmony.
“It is important for us to nurture fellowship among each other as Sarawak will be able to continue to progress and prosper,” he said.
Among those present were Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus; and Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai Bujang.