The micro hydro dam at Rh Michael Jantan of Nanga Bekatan — one among six implemented in Julau parliamentary constituency.
JULAU: Six community-based micro hydroelectricity projects, with a combined capacity of 10KW, have been implemented here since 2013.
According to local businessman Belayong Jampong, who helped to coordinate the implementation, most of them were completed ahead of schedule.
“The fastest was the one at Rumah Jawang Janting of Bukit Seri, which was done within 35 working days.
“We certainly appreciate the good leadership, who were always on the ground and could inspire others to render us their undivided cooperation and commitment towards the implementation.
“When these elements present, the contractor appointed could deliver on time and even ahead of schedule,” he said when responding to a press statement issued recently by a former headman Balang Likong, who questioned why the micro hydro project at his longhouse in Sengaih had not been completed since its launch some three years ago.
On this, Belayong said the stalling of the Sengaih prohect was simply due to personal problems between Balang and his followers.
“Balang and his son-in-law were appointed and paid by the contractor to deliver all building materials to the site. However, he failed to deliver, which badly affected the construction.
“This led to the anger and dissatisfaction of the longhouse folk who had been working hard during construction and were looking forward to having it completed on time,” Belayong said.
“Consequently, they decided to replace Balang with another longhouse folk Saba Sagai as their new ‘tuai rumah’ (longhouse chieftain).”
Belayong said the locals also knew about the whole situation.
“Despite being associated with it (Sengaih project) from the beginning and being responsible for its delay, he (Balang) is looking for a convenient scapegoat.
“In other words, he is passing the buck for his own shortcomings.”
Belayong believed that Balang’s action was politically motivated in view of the next state election, in which many quarters were lobbying to become the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Meluan state constituency.
He said Balang, as the headman then, knew very well that all six projects were the initiative of a local institution of higher learning.
“They has nothing to do with the 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Bhd) or the BN government. Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, in his capacity as Julau MP and chairman of the 1Malaysia Sarawak Advisory Council, was invited for the launch (of the six micro hydro projects),” he said.
On the projects, Belayong said they were meant to provide folk across the state’s remote pockets with free and stable electricity supply.
“The beneficiaries, who are the longhouse folk, were expected to lend a hand in the construction (of these projects); thus giving them that sense of ownership.”
Within the Julau parliamentary constituency, the said projects are at Rumah Jawang Janting of Bukit Seri, Rumah Michael Jantan of Nanga Beketan, Rumah Lugom Jengging of Nang Taba, Rumah Nyaiyang of Ensiring, Rumah Suin Ensan of Teberu and Rumah Kedit Chundang of Sungai Buluh.
“Our next project will be at Rumah Unyat of Merirai in Baleh, Kapit.
“We expect to implement it after this Gawai Dayak, and for it to be in time for the Malaysia Day celebrations on Sept 16 this year,” Belayong said, adding that another new project here was still under feasibility study.