Kuala Lumpur: Villagers in Sabah who cannot afford to pay for the internal electric wiring in their respective homes can actually apply for Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd's (SESB) assistance under the Assisted Rural Wiring Scheme (ARWS). According to the Regional and Rural Development Ministry, which implements the rural electric supply (BELB) programme, the ARWS provides financing for wiring amounting to RM510 per house in Sabah and those who join in the scheme can make repayment by instalment for a period of 36 months.
Nevertheless, in the effort to ensure all walks of the community enjoy electricity supply, the Ministry does provide financing for the internal wiring installation cost and the power connection (collateral deposit) payment for the houses of hardcore poor families.
It stated this in a written answer to Ranau MP Datuk Siringan Gubat who had asked the Minister in Dewan Rakyat to explain whether the electricity metre and internal wiring of a house are included under the contractor work scope under BELB as well as the total amount of allocation provided for this project in Sabah and its percentage of progress.
The Ministry said the BELB scope of implementation only involves building electricity delivery line, distribution line and service line to the houses of individuals and that the home owners need to pay for the cost of internal wiring and the collateral deposit (power supply connection deposit payment) to SESB.
They can redeem the collateral deposit once they move out or end their power supply subscription.
On the level of progress, the Ministry said from 2010 to September 30 this year, a total of 30,108 homes in Sabah, or 79.45 per cent of the target set under the National Key Result Area (NKRA), have already been equipped with 24-hour power supply under BELB.
It said the Ministry has set a target under NKRA to equip 37,897 homes in the State with electricity supply before end of this year.
The Ministry has been allocated by the Government a total of RM1,392 million throughout the three year period, from 2010 to 2012, to achieve this target. Of this, the highest number of houses was this year involving 15,455 houses under 320 projects and involving RM382.50 million in allocation.
Last year, the Ministry's target was 8,248 homes under 100 projects and involving RM693.79 million in allocation, while in 2010 it was 14,194 homes under 170 projects and RM315.63 million in allocation.
The Ministry said the implementation of all these BELB projects would result in electricity supply coverage in Sabah increasing to 87.9 per cent at end of this year, from 77.0 per cent in 2010.
