Gira: No power interruption expected in Selangau schools
SIBU: Schools in Selangau are not expected to experience any power interruption, following the withdrawal of sub- contractors supplying diesel for generator sets from today (July 16).
According to Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira, there has been no complaint received from Selangau District Education officer thus far (on the matter).
“Furthermore, Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee has informed that supply of diesel to schools ( depending on generator sets for power supply) statewide is directly managed by Ministry of Finance ( MoF),” he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.
Gira was asked if any schools in Selangau were affected by the withdrawal of sub- contractors supplying the fuel.
It was recently reported in The Borneo Post that the subcontractors supplying fuel to rural schools were pulling back as they claimed that they have not been paid by Bintulu-based main contractor Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd since March this year.
One of the sub- contractors stated in the letter that they were withdrawing with effect from July 16 ( today) as the expenses were too high.
In response to this, Dr Annuar, who is also Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health, said the Ministry of Education ( MoE) has directed the 371 rural schools in Sarawak which rely on diesel-powered generators for their electricity supply to directly purchase their own fuel.
According to Dr Annuar, the directive from MoE was issued recently for headmasters/ principals or district education officers ( PPDs) in their particular area to directly purchase the fuel.
He hoped with such directive, there should not be any blackout or power interruption from today onwards that could disrupt the teaching and learning process.
Dr Annuar, who is Nangka assemblyman, believed that depending on generator sets for power supply is not a long-term solution for these schools.
In this regard, he reiterated that several schools near to power grid have been identified for electricity connection in stages to enjoy a more stable and continuous power supply.