Entri is seen being interviewed by RTM at Rumah Meran Surang in Lapok after a dialogue session with the RES stakeholders.

MIRI: The people in Lapok and Ulu Teru are looking forward to a brighter Christmas this year and water supply coming on stream next year with the completion of the RM16 million treatment plant and an additional RM22 million for piping under the 11th Malaysia Plan.

The race is on to connect 16 longhouses to the grid and tests to energise the power lines will be held today.

Assistant Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Sylvester Entri has instructed Sesco to facilitate and expedite this RM21.6 million rural electrification scheme to bring Christmas cheer to the 479 people living in longhouses under this NKRA initiative.

“I told Sesco to make sure these longhouses enjoy uninterrupted power supply before Christmas,” he said during a dialogue session with the people at Rumah Meran Subang in Lapok yesterday.

Entri said the RES project covered six regions with cost ranging from RM37,342 to RM62,225 per household, proof of the government’s sensitivity to the needs of the rural population despite the high cost.

The recipients were Ulu Teru (RM12.5 million) comprising Rumah Engkang Sirai, Rh Enggie Gerang, Rh Jana Rayong, Rh John Merican Lukok, Kampung Empelan, Rumah Abok Jabu, Rumah Kalong Goh, Rumah Henry Gomes and Rumah Mathew Sigat.

The others were Rumah Surin, Sungai Bain (RM3.92 million), Rumah Francis Ginda of Tanjong Mawang, Rh Patik, Sungai Bong and Rumah Marinda , Ulu Bong (RM2.2 million), Rh Jackie, Rh Pong (RM1.26 million), Rumah Meran Surang (RM1.08 million) and Rumah Kompeni (RM0.56 million).

Entri, who is also Marudi assemblyman, called for a customer-friendly approach by Sesco, including being compassionate and inclusive of hardcore poor customers in enabling them to enjoy power supply.

Power testing for longhouses already connected to the grid including Rumah Meran, about two hours’ drive from Miri, is expected to be conducted today. Entri thus urged landowners in the remaining sector in Ulu Teru to cooperate with the RES contractor Citra Alti to allow their crops to be cleared for the power lines alignment to pass through.

“This right of way is crucial for everyone to enjoy Christmas with round-the-clock power supply and mark the end of the expensive fuel bill for generator sets which can run up to RM400 a month,” he said.

Rural water supply is expected to be ready by next year after the delayed treatment plant project in Lapok is completed.

Entri said an additional RM22 million fund had been approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan for laying pipes in Marudi constituency, taking advantage of water supply from Lapok Treatment Plant covering Tinjar and Bakong regions.

Earlier, a political secretary to the chief minister Richard Wil urged voters in Marudi to stand behind the incumbent who has been endorsed by the chief minister as the prospective BN candidate for Marudi.

“I know very well that the chief minister does not flip flop and he has announced the incumbent as the BN candidate for Marudi, not SPDP or Teras,” he said.

Richard, a voter in Marudi, said Entri’s track record in delivering the goods and being on the ground every month was a harbinger for greater development from the state BN government under Adenan’s leadership.