Kota Kinabalu: The Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB) has allocated RM8.26 million for village streetlights and electricity supply, benefiting some 1.24 million people in the State.
KPLB Secretary-General Datuk Ramlan Harun said RM5.96 million of the amount was allocated for the Village Road Lighting Programme (LJK) and RM2.3 million for the repair of Village Restructuring Programme (PSK) Diesel Power Stations in Kampung Balat and Kampung Litang in Kinabatangan, with Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) appointed as the project contractor.
“The LJK Phase 10 Installation Programme in Sabah involves the installation of 5,000 units of lights, with 4,000 units of High Pressure Sodium Vapour (HPSV) lights and 1,000 units of LED lights.
Ramlan said this at the handover ceremony of the 2019/2022 LJK Phase 10 and Rural Electricity Supply Program (BELB) Centralised Diesel Power PSK Kampung Litang and Kampung Balat.
Also present were SESB Chief Executive Officer Mohd Yaakob Jaafar and Deputy Secretary General (Development) Mas Rizal Mohd Hilmi.
The LJK project started on Jan 7, 2020 and was fully completed on Dec 8, 2021 while the power station project started on March 9, 2022 and was completed on July 28, 2022 ahead of the original scheduled date of completion which is Sept 8, 2022.
As for the BELB Diesel Power Project, after six years of project completion, there were several damages that occurred due to wear and tear as well as damages due to wildlife interference.
“Therefore, SESB has carried out repairs with a contract cost of RM2.3 million,” he said.
He added that the implementation of this programme was done in stages based on the needs, priority and the cost of operation and maintenance that would be borne by the Government on an ongoing basis.
“We know there are challenges and obstacles in completing this project, especially in terms of geography and area, considering Sabah’s vast area of 24 parliamentary seats and many rural areas.
“The sustainability of rural communities is a major priority for the government,” he said.
He said KPLB will continue to plan and implement other infrastructure projects in Sabah through extension projects under RMK-12 and new projects through the 2023 Budget which will be tabled in October.
“Sabah will always receive attention from the Federal Government for the various benefits of the population, especially for the rural community,” he said.
* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.
* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.