Kapit District now has its own Niosh office
KAPIT: This district now has its own National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Niosh) office, located at Jalan Padang Sukan-Jalan Airport here.
Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is Kapit MP, officiated at the official opening ceremony yesterday.
Among those in attendance were Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong who is also Niosh chairman, Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Ministry of Human Resources deputy secretarygeneral (international policy) A Maniam, and Niosh executive director Ayop Salleh.
In his speech, Nanta said the establishment of a Niosh office here would facilitate the locals in obtaining services or information related to occupational safety and health (OSH).
“Instead of travelling to Kuching, Bintulu or Miri, they can now head to the Niosh office here – it’s more cost-saving and convenient. Having a Niosh office in Kapit is significant because this is the first of its kind in a rural area.
“In this regard, I call upon those from the government departments and agencies, the employers and the employees, community leaders and individuals here to support Niosh and to make full use of the services available.
“In saying this, I also hope more state or federal agencies would set up their offices in Kapit,” he said.
Meanwhile in his remarks, Ugak said he had been eyeing on establishing a Niosh office here since his appointment as the institute’s chairman on April 1 last year.
“Kapit is rich in resources – coal, timber and now, we have three mega hydroelectricity power dams, namely Bakun, Murum and Baleh (now under construction and scheduled to reach completions in 2026) dams. Previously, the workers here had to travel all the way to Kuching, Miri or Bintulu to undergo OSH training; now that Niosh (office) is here, it’s more convenient and less-burdensome for them,” he said.