ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO PULAU UBIN

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for the Environment whether the Public Utilities Board will reconsider supplying electricity by means of generators to the residents of Pulau Ubin now that the contractor on whom the islanders had relied for their electricity supply has ceased such supply, thus affecting a community centre and about 150 families.

The Minister for the Environment (Mr Lim Kim San): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Utilities Board's investigation shows that the residents of Pulau Ubin are unwilling to pay higher prices due to higher operating costs, thereby causing the contractor to cease operations.

It was explained to the hon. Member for Changi in March 1977 and again in March 1979 when the question on supply of electricity to Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong was raised that it would be too expensive for the PUB to provide electricity, whether through submarine cables from the mainland or by diesel generator sets installed on the islands. With higher costs today, it would be even more expensive and not viable for the Board to do so.

A number of residents have now purchased their own small capacity generating sets. This appears to be the best solution for the time being.

Mr Teo Chong Tee (Changi): Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the Hon. Minister whether the Public Utilities Board will provide any technical assistance should another private contractor decide to take over the project?

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, should there be another contractor who is willing to provide electricity to the island by the use of a generating set, the PUB will certainly give technical assistance or advice.