RM12 mln water project for Pusa, Beladin to start soon
KUCHING: The proposed upgrading works on the water reticulation and supply systems across Pusa and Beladin are expected to commence by the end of next month, with estimated construction period of 12 months.
According to the directorgeneral of Implementation Coordination Unit ( ICU) under Prime Minister’s Department, Tan Sri Ahmad Zaki Ansore, the project cost is about RM12 million and the tender period expires next Monday ( March 19).
“The objectives of this project are to replace the undersized and ageing pipelines in ‘ kampung’ (village) areas especially in Pusa and Beladin, to assist in reducing NRW (non-revenue water), as well as to improve the water pressure at Kampung Pusa Seberang (comprising Kampung Hulu, Kampung Tengah and Kampung Hilir) and Kampung Beladin,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
The ‘ Water Supply and Piping System Upgrading Project for Pusa – Beting Maro State Constituency, Sarawak’ was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on May 2, 2016 at the official opening of SK Pusa in Betong.
Ahmad Zaki said the government acknowledges the hardship that the villagers are experiencing, adding that he saw the situation himself during a visit to the project site last Saturday, which was made after learning about it from the media.
He was accompanied by ICU Sarawak director Mohamad Zaki Mahyuddin, Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) deputy director Rodziah Mohammad, Pusa District Office administrative officer EnIszarul Japar and representatives of JBALB.
According to Ahmad Zaki, the main challenge that the project contractor would be facing is that the majority of the pipes across Kampung Pusa are too old, severely leaking and laid too deep underneath the newly-built village road.
On the specifics, he said the scope of the project would include the decommissioning of all ageing and undersized pipelines; the laying of new distribution and reticulation pipelines along the designated corridor complete with all the necessary gate valves, washouts, air valves and fire hydrants; as well as the construction of a new storage tank to ensure sufficient storage during of peak hours, and also a booster pump station to ensure good water pressure.
Ahmad Zaki also said the Pusa District Office, together with local elected representatives, would arrange for a dialogue with the villagers soon, where they would explain to them all about the project.
“Moreover, this dialogue will serve as the platform for the elected representatives to inform the people about government’s policies and also the progress of several projects.”