Water for the future

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COMPLETED: A file photo of an aerial view of the Bengoh Dam which is ready for impoundment anytime soon.

10-year master plan drawn up to secure future urban, suburban water needs

KUCHING: There is already a 10-year master plan to take into account the increasing needs for water supply that will ensure big towns and cities are well served in future, said Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Kuching and its suburbs, including Kota Samarahan, will be served with water from the Bengoh Dam.

“The (master) plan is already there to increase the capacity. There are two types of plans for increasing water supplies, one for Kuching and its suburbs and the second for smaller towns where the demand is not quite urgent,” Taib told the media during his Hari Raya open house at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on the first day of Hari Raya on Thursday.

He added that the government would also continue to upgrade water treatment plants in other major towns.

Taib, who is also the Minister of Resource Planning and Environment, disclosed that the Bengoh Dam had been completed and that it was ready for impoundment anytime soon.

Meanwhile, Minister of Housing Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg disclosed that the 204 affected families by the Bengoh Dam will be ready to move into their new houses over the next two months after the issuance of the occupation Permits (OP).

He said his permanent secretary will organise a meeting in the next two weeks to address the OP issue.

“In two months’ time, the people affected by the Bengoh Dam should be able to move in to their new houses,” said Abang Johari.

Some 204 households from Kampung Taba Sait, Rejoi, Pain Bojong and Semban Teleg are affected by the construction of the RM310 mln Bengoh dam.

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