Nanta (fourth left) presents a Sares certificate to TR Jack Bidai from Mujong, while (from left) Nyuak, Jamit, Liwan and Nyabong look on.
KAPIT: Nearly 900 families comprising 6,550 people from 32 longhouses in Bukit Mabong and Kapit districts are now enjoying 24-hour electricity courtesy of Sarawak Alternative Electricity Supply (Sares).
The solar-powered electricity supply was built at a cost of RM42 million, said Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi when he officiated at the handing over of Sares project ownership certificates to the families at the civic centre here yesterday, an event organised by Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) and the Ministry of Utilities.
“Each family can use the maximum 3,000 watts of electricity per day to power their household appliances such as light bulbs, fans, televisions, freeze and cookers.
“With this (power supply) they can spend more time working to improve their economic standing such as farming or fishing. They don’t have to replenish their food stock daily by going to the town because their refrigerators can accommodate several days of supply,” he said.
Nanta added that Sares had lighted up 142 longhouses to benefit 3,100 families from 2016 to 2019.
He also said the state government led by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had allocated RM2.37 for rural electrification programme in the 2019-2020 period.
Assistant Minister of Utilities (Rural Electricity) Datuk Liwan Lagang, Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong, Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit, political secretaries to chief minister Tapah Ata, Nicholas Kudi, SEB vice president Dr Chen Shiun, and Kapit Resident Nyuak Keti were among those present at the function.
Recipients of Sares certificates in a photo call with Nanta (centre) and others.