KUCHING, September 2, 2015 - The level of cooperation
attained between Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) and the communities in Lubok Antu
has paved the way for sustainable development in the area over the past 30
years since the construction of the Batang Ai Hydroelectric Plant.
SEB's executive vice president of corporate services
Aisah Eden said this has enabled the state power company, the State government
and relevant agencies to attend to the needs of the communities in regards to
basic amenities and socio-economic aspects.
One for the album: SEB executive vice president for corporate services Aisah Eden (seated, 3rd from right) together with senior
management team and staff of SEB and the community leaders of Ulu
Engkari, Lubok Antu
She said this in her welcoming speech when receiving a
delegation comprising 31 community leaders from Ulu Engkari, Lubok Antu who
were on a familiarization trip to Menara Sarawak Energy last Friday.
“Sustainability is central to how SEB implement any of
its major projects especially if the project involves resettling people. We
believe that sustainable development is all about meeting the needs of the
present and future generation and this is considered in all stages of our
process from planning to implementation,” Aisah said.
She said SEB, overall, has allocated around RM3mil for
several initiatives including rewiring 22 longhouses, providing assistance to
the development committees of the longhouses, churches and schools in support
of their activities and equipping longhouses that were off the grid with solar
home system.
In addition, she said, there were currently plans to
extend SEB’s assistance programme which would see more communities living in
remote Lubok Antu being lighted up.
She conceded this was not an easy task to achieve given
the geographical conditions at certain parts of Batang Ai where there were no
access roads and only reachable by boat.
“For situations like this, rest assured we will search
for alternative approach to provide electricity supply to these communities. We
will also engage help from experts on how best to do so,” she said.
Later, Aisah presented a donation of RM5,000 to the
villagers of Nanga Ukom, Ulu Engkari who were made homeless after a fire razed
their longhouse on Aug 21. Receiving the donation on behalf of the villagers
was their headman, Guyu Jarau.
Representing the group, Engkari Community Leaders
Association representative David Ujan said the trip enabled the community
leaders to foster closer rapport with Sarawak Energy.
Aisah presenting the cheque to Guyu as SEB's senior personnel look on.
He believed this would further strengthen cooperation
between the company and the communities of Batang Ai.
The visit also featured a presentation on 'Community and
CSR' in Batang Ai by Jiwari as well as a tour to Menara Sarawak Energy’s
Galleria and Museum.
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