KUCHING: Residents of 25 villages in Krokong and Jagoi in Bau are still waiting for their supply of treated water as promised by the state government.
Local activist Boniface Willy Tumek said Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, who officiated at an event at Mas Gading Community College in Bau on June 27 last year, had promised them piped water by end of December last year.
“Dr Jerip was referring to the treated water delivery system being implemented in the Krokong and Jagoi regions of Bau district. It is almost three months into 2014, but the 25 villages in Bau are still waiting for the promised treated water,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.
Boniface, who is PKR Mas Gading branch committee member, said until they get their supply, the residents had to continue to depend on the gravity feed system with all its inherent problems such as no water during dry season, clogged dam and periods of heavy rain.
“According to my sources in the Public Works Department (PWD), the delivery system – consisting of main pipes, two booster pump stations and three high level tanks – is already in place and the department is waiting for the contractor to hand over the project to them so they can commence piping to houses in these villages.”
He was made to understand that the contractor had yet to complete the strength and leakage tests for the high level tanks, though some sectional test and pipe flushing had been done.
Boniface called on the PWD and the Local Government and Community Development Ministry to ensure the contractor complete all that had to be done and hand over the project to PWD soonest.
“The people in these 35 villages are worried they will only get their supply when the next state election is called, and are hoping their elected representative ensure they get it as soon as possible. They have waited for too long despite their strong support for the government.”
He said the residents hope that whatever impedes the supply of treated water to their homes, including finance or payment issues if any, would be quickly resolved by their elected representative.
Boniface said local people also hoped PWD would install street lights at the junction leading to Kpg Stass and Serikin which was too dark and accident-prone.