750 water tanks distributed to villages in Labuan

The government has allocated as many as 1,000 units of water tanks to the Federal Territory of Labuan to be distributed to residents who are severely affected by water supply problems.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said out of that number, 750 units have been distributed to 17 villages while the remaining 250 tanks are expected to be completed in April this year.

“For the tank distribution, the government is out to help the affected villagers regardless of their background and political beliefs. Labuan Corporation together with Labuan Water Supply Division have determined some basic criteria as a guide to village heads to carry out distribution works in their respective areas.

“Among the criteria that we outline as priority for eligible recipients is for residents who live far away and are the last to receive water supply from the main pipeline,” she said when replying to a question by Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman (PN-Labuan) during a question-and-answer session in Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Suhaili wanted to know whether the 1,000 units of tank aid that had been approved through Labuan Corporation was only to be distributed to certain people or across and beyond residents of different political views.

Apart from that, Zaliha said to overcome the issue of water supply in educational institutions in the Federal Territory of Labuan, Labuan Corporation has implemented the immediate procurement of 10 units of water tanks with a capacity of 1,200 gallons to be placed at Labuan Matriculation College and Sekolah Menengah Sains Labuan.

She said the distribution of the tanks was implemented on Jan 14 to met the needs of students living in hostels at the two institutions.

“In the meantime, Labuan Corporation has also taken steps to assess the distribution process.

“For residents who are eligible but have not receive water tank assistance, they will have to inform Labuan Corporation and appropriate assistance will be provided to the affected residents,” she said.