Installation of temporary pipe causes water shortage

MIRI: More than 2,000 rural folk in Bekenu constituency are unhappy with the installation of a temporary pipe near Lambir booster station.

It is said that the works on the pipe have caused water supply interruption there for a week.

Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus said many villages such as Kampung Kuala Sibuti, Kampung Pejuang Kelulit, Kampung Terahad, Kampung Angus, Kampung Rambai and Kampung Kayu Kapur, as well as the detention depot, had been without water supply since last Monday.

“There was a notice issued by Department of Rural Water Supply (JBALB) regarding the interruption of water supply on Aug 6 ( Monday). According to the notice, it was due to the temporary pipe installation works on Pan Borneo Highway project near the Lambir booster station,” she said yesterday.

The Bekenu assemblywoman also pointed out that according to the notice, the installation works for the day would take about eight hours and most of the areas in Bekenu would be affected.

Besides advising the affected villagers to store enough water for their usage during this period, JBALB also informed the villagers that the installation works would continue should the weather permit.

However, there has to be any sign that the water supply would resume to normal, said Rosey.

“Whoever does any earthworks on any development project, please have the welfare of the people in mind.

“If there is a need to remove the existing pipe to allow for road upgrading works, the contractor should carry out the works quickly; otherwise it would affect the people.”

Rosey said although efforts had been made to supply water to the affected villages, not all areas could be covered due to lack of vehicles.

In view of that, she really hoped that those involved in the road upgrading works would be more responsible and strive to speed up the works.