LONG SAN, Baram: Long San folk are wondering whether the government has the political will to complete the mini-hydroelectricity and solar hybrid projects to provide 24-hour electricity supply for the people here.
The ‘useless’ switch that is installed at every longhouse.
Cables are only installed from the mini hydroelectricity project site up to the roadside leading to Long San. They are not extended into the village.
The small house housing the turbine and transformer under the abandoned mini hydroelectricity project in Keleme.
Local resident Philip Wan Kalang claimed the government had allocated RM2.5 million for the mini-hydroelectricity project in Keleme, some four kilometres from here.
He said the project included installation of turbine and cables to the longhouses.
“The cables were only installed up to the roadside and they were not extended into our village. They only installed a switch in every longhouse, which is not connected to the main cable.
“If I am not mistaken, the project commenced in 2009 and the villagers were supposed to enjoy 24-hour electricity supply by Christmas in 2010.
“We were told the turbine was never commissioned and we don’t know whether the whole mini-hydroelectricity system is working.
Philip said no explanation was given for abandoning the project, but word from the grapevine is that it was due to lack of funds.
“Initially, the mini-hydroelectricity project was supposed to be done at a site at San River, which is nearer to Long San, but certain individuals insisted it be in Keleme.
“If the project was done in San River, surely the allocation was enough to cover the whole project.”
Philip said there was a similar project costing about RM1 million at Long Semiyang. Work started at almost the same time as the one in Keleme, but it too was abandoned.
“We hope these mini-hydroelectricity projects will be revived. If there are not enough funds, they should apply for more funds.”
Philip also wondered about the status of the proposed solar hybrid project that was to light up Long San round-the-clock.
He said the project for Long San started at the same time as another one at Long Semiang, and each cost more than RM1 million.
“We hope the government will look into these matters seriously as the villagers really need electricity supply.”
Philip said the absence of electricity supply had caused hardship for the people, adding that many villagers had to spend a lot of money on generators and solar systems for
electricity.
“Diesel here is very expensive and the installation of the solar system would cost more than RM1,000 per household.”
On hindsight, Philip opined that instead of spending so much on the mini-hydroelectricity and solar hybrid projects, and then let them rot, the government should have distributed the funds to the local folks for them to buy generators and install solar systems.