SIBU: The Sibu Water Board (SWB) has again made an appeal to the federal government to convert a portion of its outstanding RM104.6 million federal loan into a grant.
In a statement here yesterday, it said the portion amounting to about RM44 million was largely for its rural water supply capital expenditure, which it had been asked to take over in stages from the state public works department since the mid-1990s.
SWB general manager Daniel Wong Park Ing made the appeal to Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili during his working visit to the board yesterday.
He had earlier briefed the minister and his delegates on development programmes and water management strategies.
Also present at the briefing was state public utilities (water supply) assistant minister Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran, who is also state agriculture assistant minister (farmer’s organisation).
According to the statement, Ongkili promised to follow up on ongoing discussions with the finance ministry, as well as rural and regional development ministry, which supported the board’s request to resolve the matter soon.
SWB oversees water supply to a population of almost 260,000, with more than 30 per cent in the rural areas. — Bernama