KAPIT: Ibau, a rural settlement which is barely 20km from Kapit town, will get to enjoy electricity supply once the overhead grid project here is completed.

Minister of Rural and Regional Development Dato Seri Shafie Apdal, who announced this recently, said his Ministry would allocate RM15.83 million for the implementation of this proposed rural electricity supply (RES) to Ibau.

“Once the state overhead grid is connected in Kapit, we can extend power to Ibau area. This project comes under the National Key Results Area (NKRA) and we will get it done because Nanga Ibau is only 20 km from Kapit,” he told folks of Rumah Jeffery Nudong Jawa.

On other matters, Shafie stressed the need for the rakyat to be patient because most development programmes could not be implemented immediately.

“It takes time to source for project funding, consultant, architects, engineers and contractors. Sometimes, materials might have to be imported from overseas such as South Korea and China…which is time consuming.”

But he said the government always fulfilled its promises. For instance, during his last visit to Belaga two years ago, he

had announced the construction of 200 units of houses under the ‘Rancangan Perumahan Mesra Rakyat’ programme.

“Last week, I was told by the Hulu Rajang MP (Datuk Billy Abit Joo) that the project is already 80 per cent completed.

“Some people called me Minister of Kampung because I not only announce projects but also fulfill my promises to the rakyat.”

He also used a road project here to illustrate the point that the BN government was a caring one.

“During my visit to Song on October 30, 2009, I announced a road project. Today, I am here to perform earth-breaking for the RM80 million 7.56 km Jalan Song-Sipan/SK Temalat.”

Shafie also revealed that there were plans to get agencies under his Ministry, such as the Rubber Research Institute (Risda) to visit

Ibau to conduct a flexibility study to plant oil palm and rubber.

Among those present were Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Billy Abit, Senator Doris Brodie, Temenggong Datuk Kenneth Kanyan and Tuai Rumah Jeffery Nudong.

http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=118707