Villager shares disappointment with rep over shoddy roof repair
BARAM: Anyie Jok’s delight in a newly-repaired roof was short-lived as it started to leak again – this time even worse than before.
His application to have the roof at the back portion of his ‘bilik’ repaired under the E- Kasih programme was approved in June this year.
“I was excited upon hearing my application had been approved and the repair was carried out within a day by an appointed contractor,” recalled Anyie.
But joy turned to nightmare when the leaking, especially at his mother’s sleeping corner, got worse despite replacing the entire roof at the back portion. During a heavy downfall, the rain still slipped through the zinc sheets which had not been secured properly by the contractor.
“My mother cannot sleep at her sleeping corner when it’s raining. The leak caused serious damage to the plywood ceiling. There was also leaking at the other part where the zinc sheets were not properly joined,” said Anyie who voiced out his concern for his 90-year- old mother Ubong Emang.
Anyie complained to Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau during his visit to Long Bedian recently.
“The shoddy work is not only a waste of government efforts and allocation for the targeted group, especially the hardcore
I was excited upon hearing my application had been approved and the repair was carried out within a day by an appointed contractor. Anyie Jok
poor, but also causes them more hardship,” said Dennis.
It gave a negative perception of the government.
“Most of the blame will be on the government and the implementing agency and body,” said Dennis, who suggested revoking the licence of the contractor as penalty.
He called on the agency concerned to monitor the contractor and ensure the work was done professionally.
Dennis advised contractors: “Don’t think of profit from the tender at the expense of people who need help from the government.
“Contractors must work with the government and implementing agency and body by carrying out the work according to specifications or scope to benefit the targeted group.”