Houses for re-settlers priority

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RM20m approved to build Rumah Mesra houses for those affected by Bengoh Dam

Dr Jerip Susil

KUCHING: The state government is prioritising the building of houses for those affected by the Bengoh Dam since the supply of raw water to Kuching area is becoming a pressing issue.

Saying this was Bengoh assemblyman and Assistant Minister of Public Health Dr Jerip Susil in an exclusive interview at his office here yesterday.

“Naim Engineering has been tasked to build 204 houses for the affected villagers from Taba Sait, Rejoi, Pain Bojong and Semban Teleg so that they can move in soon.

“Once the (relocation) exercise is completed then the dam can be impounded as soon as possible.”

He said some RM20 million had been approved to build the Rumah Mesra houses for the re-settlers in Radien near Semadang, about 42km from here.

He said work on the project could start any time now for it had been approved by the state cabinet during its recent meetings.

Dr Jerip said if everything went smoothly, the affected villages should be able to move into their new homes before end of the year.

“The Bengoh Dam supplies raw water to the Kuching area as the current source at Batu Kitang is getting insufficient for the increasing population.”

Meanwhile, it had been reported that Naim, through its subsidiary Naim Engineering Sdn Bhd (formerly NCSB Engineering Sdn Bhd) has been awarded the RM168.8million contract by the Public Works Department.

The contract involves the design and building of the resettlement scheme, which consists of 204 housing lots in rural growth centre and government reserve land, roads for internal area and gravel roads for agriculture area, and water and electricity supplies.

It is said Naim, determined to fulfil its corporate social responsibility and, would also build four community halls and churches for the four villages.

The people from the four villages are affected by the construction of the RM310 million Bengoh Dam.

The affected families will also be provided with sufficient land for farming as well as other business activities to help them generate better income.