Ministry appreciates NGO’s involvement in rural devt
Published on: Monday, November 04, 2019
KOTA BELUD: The Sabah Rural Development Minsitry (KPLB) appreciate the involvement of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), corporate and private companies in rural development in the state.
Its Minister, Datuk Ewon Benedick (pic) said the collaboration would complement the government’s efforts in bringing development to rural areas.
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“So, I look forward to the cooperation as I acknowledge that it is not easy for the Ministry to fulfil all applications for small rural development projects due to the limited allocation provided to our ministry.
“For example, this year my Ministry was given an early allocation of RM4.5 million for small projects and then an additional RM7.4 million in supplementary allocation in August brought the total amount for rural development project to around RM11 million but the amount of applications that we received from across Sabah have so far reached RM60 million.
“Therefore, we have to make decisions in situations where we are faced with limited budget. As an Assemblymen, we welcome the role of corporate and private companies to assist in areas that we represent,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after launching the Kota Belud Regional Strategic Information Department’s Joint @ Community Programme at the Pencarian Bersama Mini Hall in Kota Belud.
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Ewon, who is also the Assemblyman for Kadamaian, hopes that other assemblymen would work with NGOs, corporate and private companies to be involved in the development of their respective areas, particularly in rural areas.
“I welcome any NGOs who want to assist villages in Kadamaian or any rural area in Sabah in terms of development,” he said.
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He said many programmes have been created by NGOs together with corporations and Government-Linked Companies to carry out rural development not only in Kadamaian but other areas such as Penampang as well.
“For example, the Shell Malaysia CSR Programme which is the construction of two mini hydro electric plants to supply alternative electricity in several villages in Penampang.
“Likewise in Kadamaian last year, among the NGOs that contributed to the development here was Hopes Malaysia where they worked with other corporate companies to restore the supply of gravity water and implement the Mushroom Crop Economy programme in Kg Tudan.
“Next week, they will again work with a number of corporate sectors to restore supply of gravity water in several villages, which we will not be able to assist using the assemblyman allocations ,” he said.
Ewon said these are some of the benefits that come from working with corporate companies including Hopes Malaysia and other NGOs that have helped build the Community Library in Melangkap.
On the programme, Ewon welcomed the Information Department’s initiative to introduce the Malaysian Hope Community Programme which will involve various departments and agencies to disseminate information on government policies and programmes.
In addition, he said such programme could also be used to channel issues shared by the community not only in selected villages but throughout Kota Belud and Malaysia in general.
“This is a very good initiative as I admit that as a partner in government leadership, coordination is a major challenge between state and federal work.
“The existence of this programme and the co-operation of various departments and agencies with the grassroots community can certainly help the government convey the right information and facilitate the management of selected village development and the areas involved in the programme,” he said.
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