Safiee greets a resident upon his arrival at the Gawai Raya gathering.
DARO (May 23): The Sarawak government has allocated RM22 million to upgrade the Sarawak Alternative Water Supply (Sawas) project in Kampung Penasu, Daro.
Daro assemblyman Safiee Ahmad said when completed in two years’ time, the project would also benefit seven longhouses in Nanga Semah, a health clinic, and a school.
He said the project had been handed over to the contractor in February and would take 24 months to complete.
Safiee told the media this during the Kampung Penasu Daro Gawai Raya 2024 gathering at the village hall on Wednesday.
The programme was organised by the SK Penasu parent-teacher association (PTA).
He said Sawas is an initiative of the Sarawak government through the Ministry of Utility to provide water supply to remote settlements that do not have access to safe and clean water.
“The expansion of the Sawas project here is very timely as there is high demand from the people for clean and reliable water supply,” said Safiee.
He said the Sawas pioneer project started in 2017 and after seven years it is time to upgrade the system accordingly.
He urged residents to give the contractor full cooperation to ensure the project is implemented smoothly and completed on time.
Safiee added the upgrade is also necessary to meet high demand for treated water at other facilities in the area, such as a new school building for SK Penasu, which is currently under construction.
When completed, he said the three-storey rural school project, which is fully funded by the Sarawak government, will be equipped with all basic amenities such as electricity and water supply, accommodation, and other facilities.
He stressed the Sarawak government is committed to providing more infrastructure development for rural communities.
He said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak government led by Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had approved several people-oriented projects in Daro.
One of the completed infrastructure projects is a 10.5km road from Kampung Penasu to Nanga Semah.
“This road link is very important for the villagers, especially to go to the health clinic for medical treatment,” he said.
During the event, Safiee also presented minor rural project grants totalling RM86,000 to three PTAs and 15 village security and development committees for longhouses in Kampung Penasu including Nanga Semah, Sungai Stubah, Sungai Mabil, Sungai Ilas, Tanjung Pengaie, and Sungai Mawan.