KUCHING: Villagers affected by the Bengoh dam project have started moving to Bengoh Resettlement Scheme (BRS).
According to BRS co-ordinator Temenggong Austin Dimin Niyon, about 39 families are now already staying at their new houses at BRS, which have already been connected with electricity and water supply.
He said the fact that the people had started moving although the house keys had not been handed officially to them was a good sign that the people were willing to change.
Dimin, who is a Bidayuh Temenggong for Kuching district, said the official handing-over of house keys would be held this Saturday at 10am by Minister of Housing Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“It is a positive sign that the affected villagers have started moving, although the house keys have not been handed over officially … and I am glad to note that,” Dimin said when contacted yesterday.
He added that the houses had also been issued with occupational permit (OP).
Four villages – Kpg Semban, Rejoi, Pain Bojong and Taba Sait – are affected by the RM315 million Bengoh dam project, involving an approximate population of 1,600 people.
BRS has 204 units of houses and the project is undertaken by Naim Engineering Sdn Bhd, which also helps to build the facilities as their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
On the facilities, Dimin said the construction was progressing well, pointing out that while some had been completed, others were still underway.
He added that three community halls had been completed, while another one was still under construction.
An Anglican Church costing about RM2 million will also be built and the site blessing ceremony will be held on Dec 28. A SIB chapel will also be built.
While waiting for both projects to complete, the community halls will be used temporarily as a place of worship, he explained.
A ‘panggah’ (Bidayuh traditional house) is also nearly completed, Dimin disclosed, adding that the villagers will also be provided with top soil for their backyard gardening.
Ten lorries of top soil had already been given with another 15 lorries to be given next year, he said further.
On the school used as site office by Naim and which Naim donated, Dimin said renovation work was progressing well and expected to be completed end of this month in time for the next school session.
Meanwhile, chairman of BRS committee Itodio Peu yesterday was reported to have said that the affected villagers demanded for the remaining 70 per cent of their compensation that had not been paid by Land and Survey Department. According to him, the villagers had been promised that the full payment would be made on Dec 15.