‘Projects under water supply grid to be ready by end-2020’
KUCHING: Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi is optimistic that his ministry will be able to reach its target of completing projects under the Sarawak Water Supply Grid Programme by end of 2020, considering the special allocation for development of utility services in the rural areas in the 2019 state budget.
He said the rural-centric budget had allocated RM5.17 billion for the development of utility services in the rural areas, with RM2.8 billion for water supply and RM2.37 billion for electricity.
Dr Rundi revealed that his ministry is working very closely with all the relevant agencies to ensure that the proposed projects could be implemented within the next two years.
“The Sarawak Water Supply Grid Programme – Stressed Areas is very much focused on laying and replacement of pipelines, construction of booster stations, upgrading and improvement of water treatment plants, digitalisation of water supply and improvement works to existing water supply system.
“All of these projects are targeted to be completed by end of 2020. The special allocation given enables us to move forward and provide the basic amenities to the people,” he said in delivering his ministry’s winding-up speech yesterday.
The Kemena assemblyman pointed out that the projects are mainly carried out through open tenders, which involve the participation of all relevant agencies to ensure transparency and good governance.
“My officers are working tirelessly to prepare tender documents, pre and post- contract managements in implementing all these projects. Through strong teamwork and collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, this mammoth task could be achieved,” he added.
He pointed out that the allocations are clear testimony of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government’s commitment in uplifting the socio- economic well-being of the rural populace through the provision of these basic amenities.
“The allocation is for the first phase of the Sarawak Water Supply Grid Programme – Stressed Areas and will be used to develop the water supply infrastructure required to effectively resolve the water supply issues particularly in the stressed rural areas,” he disclosed.
The Sarawak Water Supply Grid Programme – Stressed Areas is very much focused on laying and replacement of pipelines, construction of booster stations, upgrading and improvement of water treatment plants, digitalisation of water supply and improvement works to existing water supply system.
The Sarawak Water Supply Grid Programme for Stressed Areas comprises 251 projects at various locations, with a total scheme value of RM3.92 billion and an estimated 11MP requirement of RM2.8 billion.
“These projects are to be implemented and completed within next two years, with 249 projects scheduled to be completed by the year 2020 and two projects slightly beyond. Up to date, five projects have been completed and 24 projects are currently under construction.
“The remaining projects are under various stages of design and tender,” he added.
Besides improving and upgrading the existing water supply systems in the state, Dr Rundi said his ministry is also implementing the Sarawak Alternative Rural Water Supply ( Sawas) programme to provide safe and reliable water to the remote and isolated communities of Sarawak, which cannot be connected to the existing water supply systems.
“This programme is also essential in realising our vision of achieving 100 per cent water supply coverage in Sarawak by 2025.
“As a start, five packages have been completed within 12 months by Oct 31 this year. They are now already supplying safe and portable water to the 22 villages comprising 572 households with
Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi, Minister of Utilities
an estimated population of 2,860,” he said.
Commenting further, Dr Rundi said the participation of the local communities in the operation and maintenance of the water supply systems is very vital.
“The Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) will set up a dedicated unit to ensure the sustainability of the systems by giving training to the locals to assist in the operation and maintenance.
“Towards this end, the cooperation and assistance of our local people’s representatives is therefore sought to get the cooperation of the local communities to play their part by getting involved and accept this responsibility for their own wellbeing,” he added.
Dr Rundi also revealed that a consultant had been commissioned in May this year to carry out the study on Water Supply Master Plan and Water Grid, in line with the Chief Minister’s vision for a state-wide water supply grid to ensure that the state has a resilient water supply system.
The study is currently in progress and will take 18 months to complete due to the vast scope and details that the consultant would need to cover.
“To date, the consultant has submitted their inception report followed by the Interim Report No. 1 for the Master Plan study. They have presented their initial findings and proposals which need to be further studied indepth.
“Currently, they are preparing Interim Report No. 2, which is expected to be submitted soon.”
Dr Rundi emphasised that the main outcome of the study would be the production of a master plan detailing the strategies to meet the future water demand for the short-term, medium-term and long-term planning.
“These strategies will encompass proposed options including the state-wide water grid, alternative water supply solutions for remote and isolated communities, catchment management, holistic NRW (nonrevenue water) management, digital technology and modernisation initiatives such as network modelling, automation among others,” he added.