Rohani (second left) posing with Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib during the Hari Raya open house.
KUCHING: The persistent water woes that have been plaguing Batang Lupar areas will be greatly reduced with the laying of new pipes from Simpang Kaki Wong to Pusa in Beladin which is currently underway.
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said the project costing RM44.3 million started in May this year and is expected to complete in November next year.
Speaking to reporters yesterday at her open house on the second day of Hari Raya at Taman Heritage in Petra Jaya, Rohani said almost the entire Batang Lupar areas faced water problem.
“When we talk about water problem in my area (constituency) it is not only in Sebuyau, but the whole of Batang Lupar due to water from the old water piping which is not fit for human consumption and lack of water source, particularly with the existence of oil palm plantations.
“However, we as elected representatives are making continuous efforts to address the issue, including looking for new water source and to replace the old piping,” the Batang Lupar MP said.
She proposed that the new water source be far away from the oil palm plantations to avoid pollution by fertilizers and other chemicals.
Rohani also told reporters that she was made to understand that the water stored at the high level tank in Tebelu, Sebuyau was not fit for human consumption due to old pipes which had not been serviced.
Thus, she hoped the relevant authorities would take prompt action to address the issue while waiting for the Simpang Kaki Wong to Pusa project to be completed.
On the water shortage in Sebuyau, Rohani said Public Works Department (JKR) had responded by sending water to the affected areas.