Grants for 26 local authorities for first time

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KUCHING: The Ministry of Housing and Local Government has allocated grants to 26 local authorities in the state.Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin who presented the annual grants said this was the first time the ministry presented the grant to the local authorities since it was introduced in 2006.

The grant was also a financial aid given by the federal government in accordance with ‘Akta Pemberian Kepada Negeri’.

“The federal government has agreed to extend the allocation of grants to all local authorities in Sabah and Sarawak. Previously it was only for local councils in the Peninsula.”

“For this year, it has been estimated that all local authorities in the state would receive annual grants of between RM400,000 to RM2 million each, and the criteria of allocating the amount would be based on the same formula as the Peninsula,” he said during the grant presentation ceremony here on Thursday.

The formula takes into account the number of population within the local authority’s jurisdiction, total management expenditure and uniqueness of the local authority.

Lajim urged all local authorities to make proper use of the grant.

“The grant would assist the local authorities in their management expenditure, people-friendly programmes, assist in salary payment as well as purchase equipment,” he said.

Lajim disclosed that among the local authorities in the state that received the grants were Padawan Municipal Council (RM2,314,250.84); Miri City Council (RM2,032,509); Kuching North City Commission (RM1,775,776.90); and Kuching South City Council (RM1,886,040.14).

Apart from the annual grant allocation, Lajim also said a total of RM37 million has been allocated for the implementation of ‘Small Projects by the Local Authorities’ to 26 local authorities to sustain the development momentum for 2010.

“This allocation is to assist the local authorities in their minor projects such as drainage cleaning, building of basic amenities like bus stops, hawker stalls, and most important of all giving priority to projects that benefit the people,” he explained.

In the mean time, Lajim was satisfied with the achievements of the Second Stimulus Package implemented by the local authorities on the state and believes that the people are enjoying the infrastructure.

“A total of RM34,937,869.10 has been allocated to the state’s local authorities which involves 272 projects under the stimulus package as of December 2009. The projects are now completed and this is a proud achievement,” he said.

He urged the state government to hold frequent meetings with the local authorities  so  that problems from the public can be heard and follow-ups done quickly.

“Local authorities are very important because they directly deal with the public. Therefore it is equally important that the federal government make sure all local authorities do their job efficiently, quickly and effectively,” said Lajim.

Among those present at the grant presentation were Environment and Public Health Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh; Assistant Environment Minister Datuk Peter Nansian; Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Environment and Public Health -Rural District Council), John Sikie Tayai; Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Environment and Public Health – Public Health) Dr Stephen Rundi; Deputy State Secretary Datu Ose Murang; Federal Secretary Sarawak Datuk Arpah Abdul Razak and Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Environment and Public Health Sarawak, Dr Penguang Manggil.