KUCHING: Bengoh state assemblyman Dr Jerip Susil is confident that the resettlement of 204 families from four villages affected by the Bengoh dam project near here would be completed by year-end.
Jerip, who is also Sarawak public health assistant minister, said yesterday he hoped the various government agencies would expedite matters relating to the quantum of the compensation.
The project affects about 5,000ha of native customary rights land which were proposed to be gazetted as a national park and turned into a water catchment area.
"The villagers can relocate to the Bengoh resettlement scheme once the paperwork is done."
Those affected are from Kampung Semban (59 families), Kampung Rejoi (40 families), Kampung Taba Sait (58 families) and Kampung Pain Bojong (47 families).
They are to be resettled at a 130ha site in Penrissen, adjacent to Kampung Semadang along the Puncak Borneo Road near here, about 20km from the Bengoh dam.
He said Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud would visit the resettlement scheme tomorrow. The scheme comprises 204 units of Rumah Mesra Rakyat being built at a cost of RM19 million and which are about 70 per cent complete.
Taib will also hear outstanding issues and grievances from the villagers.
On the issuance of occupation permits (OP) and provision of utilities such as water and electricity, Jerip said the Padawan Municipal Council had given an assurance that OP approval would not be a problem.
He said the sub-contractors had agreed to increase their workforce to enable the first resettlement from Kampung Rejoi to be carried out by next month, after works were delayed due to labour shortage caused by site workers shifting to the Samalaju Industrial Park in Bintulu. Two churches, a multipurpose community hall and a primary school will also be built.
Villagers would also be allocated land for agricultural activities at the resettlement scheme, Jerip said.
Naim Engineering Sdn Bhd is the main contractor for the resettlement project, which is to be handed over to the Housing Development Corporation upon completion to pave the way for the relocation of the villagers. Bernama
Read more: Villagers affected by dam project to be resettled by year-end - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/villagers-affected-by-dam-project-to-be-resettled-by-year-end-1.218555#ixzz2ZqQOoH9a
