AG satisfied overall with Rural Electrification Scheme

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KUCHING: The Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) in the state between September and December last year has been deemed satisfactory overall in financial and physical terms by the Auditor General’s (AG) report Series 2.

Series 2 of the report, which was released on Monday, said as of Oct 31, a total of 536,278 (92.8 per cent) applicants for electricity were benefiting from 24-hour supply.

The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development also managed to fully utilise its financial allocation totalling RM1.81 billion from 2011 to Dec 31, 2014.

Despite the satisfactory results, the report had recommendations to improve the implementation of RES projects in Sarawak by ensuring all projects are finished on time. In terms of physical performance, a total of eight contracts were completed, four within the stipulated time period, while the other four were given one to four Extension of Time (EOT) of between four and 23 months.

As of Nov 30, another 10 RES projects were still at various stages of completion.

According to the report, the ministry should also oversee all RES projects through an improved computerised mechanism and taking stringent measures against contractors or developers who failed to complete their projects within stipulated contract periods.

The ministry was also urged to carry out meticulous and holistic surveys to avoid stumbling blocks, especially during the early stages of project implementation.

The report recommended the ministry ensure the area below any overhead electricity cables are free from any structures or plantations.

Government agencies or premises should also be given priority under RES projects. In total 94 RES projects were selected for the report.