KUCHING: The state government is committed to achieving its vision of maintaining clean water throughout the state by 2030.
Utilities and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said that the coverage of clean water supply in urban areas of Sarawak currently exceeds 90 per cent, while in rural areas, it stands at 70 per cent.
“When combined, the overall average clean water supply coverage in the state is now at 85 per cent.
“Thus, several projects must be implemented to achieve the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which aims for Sarawak to reach 100 per cent clean water supply coverage by 2030,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after his official site visit to the Rampangi I and II Scheme Pipe Replacement Project site in the Kuching Division at Jalan Sungai Buah, Rampangi, on Wednesday (Feb 5).
He added that among the projects being undertaken are upgrading water treatment plants, constructing new water treatment plants, and building a water supply grid system across Sarawak.
“Currently, I can say that we are on the right track to achieve the 100 per cent coverage target by 2030. InshaAllah, this is an effort by my ministry along with our implementing agencies to realise the vision of maintaining clean water in Sarawak,” he further explained.
When asked about the agencies responsible for water supply across Sarawak, he explained that there are currently four main agencies managing water supply in the state.
“These include the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), the Kuching Water Board (KWB), the Sibu Water Board (SWB), and the Laku Management Sdn Bhd.
“However, the government is in the final stages of merging three agencies, namely the KWB, SWB and Laku Management Sdn Bhd into a single water entity,” he said.
Julaihi added that Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will announce the name and launch the entity after Hari Raya Puasa.
Present were Utility and Telecommunication Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, ministry secretary Datuk Jafri Lias, JBALB director Awang Mohammad Fadillah Awang Redzuan, officers from other relevant departments and agencies.
