Plans to clear logjams on hold till Bakun Dam takeover complete

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Recent aerial view of the debris near Long Jawe, some 150km upriver from Bakun HEP Dam.

KUCHING: The state government has come up with a long-term solution to address the massive logjam upriver of the Bakun hydroelectric power (HEP) Dam but is putting the plan on hold as Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) is in the process of taking over the dam from Sarawak Hidro.

This was revealed by Assistant Minister for Environment Datu Len Talif Salleh who said in the meantime Wargana the contractor appointed to clear debris within the Bakun Dam proper is voluntarily clearing the logs clogging the navigation route upriver.

“The state government through SEB will come up with the money to manage the removal of the debris. But now as it is still in transition period, Wargana is voluntarily undertaking the clearance of the debris along the navigation route,” Len told The Borneo Post here yesterday.

Recently, Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that the state government has acquired Bakun HEP from the federal government ‘lock, stock and barrel’ at a cost of RM2.5 billion.

Commenting on the logjam located some 150km upriver from Bakun HEP Dam, Len Talif said, it was due to natural and man-made activities including land clearance for farming and plantation, as well as logging activities in the past

He added that the debris also resulted from dead wood resurfacing after years of being flooded by water since the Bakun HEP Dam was impounded on Oct 13, 2010.

Len reiterated that currently, there is no more logging activities in the area.

Meanwhile, Len said a comprehensive report on the issue will be presented to the chief minister soon.

He said the report was compiled by Natural Resources and Environment (NREB) in collaboration with related government agencies such as Forest Department, Sarawak Rivers’ Board and Sarawak Hidro and the local communities.

Six villages namely; namely Long Unai, Long Busang, Long Jawe, Sang Anau, Naha Jale and Long Kaboho with a combined population of more than 2,000 people who are still depending on river transport are greatly affected by the logjam.