Consultant to study Baleh hydroelectric dam

Posted on November 3, 2012, Saturday

KAPIT: A consultant has been appointed to run a series of Social Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) studies on the proposed Baleh Hydroelectric Dam over a period of one year.

Kapit Resident Dahim Nadot said Chemsain Konsultant Sdn Bhd will get feedback from those directly affected by the project and government agencies.

“Today is a very important day for the development of Kapit Division as it marks the beginning of the serious planning by the state government through SEB – Sarawak Energy Bhd – for the proposed Baleh Hydro Dam,” he said when chairing an SEIA meeting recently.

He explained that the SEIA would cover 37 longhouses from Nanga Baleh to Long Singguh.

Dahim suggested a local consultative committee be formed comprising community leaders and intellectuals from the area affected by the project.

The committee, he said, would serve as a link between locals and the government to ensure that the interests of those affected are taken into consideration in the consultant’s report.

Dahim added that the general feedback from the meeting was that the people welcomed the project wholeheartedly and were looking forward to benefit from the spin-offs in terms of employment and business opportunities.

A dialogue between community leaders and government agencies followed the meeting.

The proposed Baleh Hydroelectric Dam is expected to generate 1,280MW and the total area to be submerged is 526km square or 52,600ha.

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/11/03/consultant-to-study-baleh-hydroelectric-dam/#ixzz2Ck8yp3Wq