Clean Water for five villages

KENINGAU, February 14 (New Sabah Times) -- Residents of five villages in Kuangoh, Bingkor about 10km from here will get clean water this year with the installation of 253 200-gallon plastic tanks and a RM150 ,000 gravity-feed system.

Announcing the approval of allocations for the project here yesterday, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan said it is the government's policy to solve the people's problems and bridge the development gap between urban and rural areas.

“The government is concerned about providing for the people's basic amenities especially with the possibility of droughts after the rainy season and floods,” he said when opening the Kuangoh mini-hall on Sunday.

The Kuangoh zone comprises the villages of Kuangoh, Berungis, Kumawanan, Kamansi/Liposu and Kg Baru.

Pairin, who is also Rural Development Minister and Keningau MP, also announced the approval of an additional RM40 ,000 for the mini-hall's electric wiring and fencing, as well as for a dam in each of four locations and another mini-hall in Kg Kumawanan.

He also presented letters of approval to build People-Friendly Houses (RMR) to four local residents.

As Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president and Keningau Barisan Nasional (BN) chief, Pairin reiterated the government's commitment to develop rural areas as stressed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when tabling the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

“This is the change that has occurred in the government and the national leadership under BN.

“Government leaders don't just talk about development, they are also capable of bringing basic amenities to the people,” he said.

Although much remains to be done, the government is constantly endeavouring to improve the lot of the people, by such means as helping to raise the income of poor people so they can escape poverty, he added.

Also present at the function were Bingkor assemblyman Justin Guka, PBS assistant secretary-general Daniel Kinsik, Bingkor PBS divisional head Majabin Dalinus, Bingkor Upko divisional chief Datuk John Datuk Angian, Bingkor PBRS divisional head Jailin Lian, Keningau MCA chief Peter Ma, ADO George Kandavu and district chief OKK Amir Datuk Ariff.

Earlier, Kg Kuangoh JKKK chairman Tahir Anam said the 1,690 residents in the five villages comprising 253 households are still BN supporters.

Pairin later presented building materials to a local resident, Suid Mekitin, to enable him to rebuild his fire-damaged house.