Masing performs earth breaking ceremony of ‘Baleh Dam SEB Operator Village’ at Nanga Antawau
The site cleared for the operator village seen from the air.
KAPIT: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing officiated at the earth breaking ceremony of the ‘Baleh Dam SEB Operator Village’ at Nanga Antawau in Ulu Baleh yesterday afternoon.
Masing also took part in a miring ceremony, an Iban blessing ritual, which was conducted during the function. The RM229 million-contract to build the village was awarded to Untang Jaya Sdn Bhd.
The contract includes the building of the connecting roads.
The government has allocated RM1.3 billion to build a 73.4km road from Nanga Mujong to Putai, and another RM600 million to build a 39km to Tunoh from the junction of Jalan Nanga Mujong.
At the end of it is the 1,350MW Baleh Hydroelectric dam.
“The construction of the operator village is given to the first Iban-owned company from Kapit – Untang Jaya. The company’s founder Bansa Untang hails from Nanga Antawau,” Masing said.
He added that Untang Jaya was given three packages of road construction; to build the Mujong to Putai road. Masing said roads must be built first before the dam is built.
“We have learnt our lesson from the Bakun experience. Here, a road from Nanga Mujong to Putai must be built first before the Baleh dam is built. In two to three years’ time the people of Baleh will be able to use cars to travel to Kapit and beyond instead of longboats like it is now.”
Untang Jaya’s project director for the ‘SEB Operator Village’, Michael Jawa said the contract was worth RM223 million, and is one of six packages given to the company. The village will have about 100 living quarters and site offices for workers involved in the building of the dam. There will also be other amenities built in the village which is about 2km from the dam site.
Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong, Nicholas Kudi Jantai who is a political secretary to the chief minister, Bukit Mabong District Officer Douglas Pungga, SAO Belayong Piok, Metroco Sdn Bhd managing director Patrick Chiong Sui Chai, and councillors Jantai Maseng and Bakat Gira were among those present at the function.