KINABATANGAN – Sabah will need about RM13 billion to provide clean water to its 3.9 million population, said state Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
Bung Moktar, who is also state works minister, said the cost includes replacing 45% of ageing water pipes in the state, as many are either leaky or have ruptured, such as the 37km pipeline connecting Segaliud to Batu Putih Treatment Plant in Sandakan.
“Some of the pipes in Sabah have been in use since the time of the British (colonial times), and have not been replaced. I take Kg Paris (in Kinabatangan) as an example. Its pipes are underground, and when there is ground movement, the pipes will break. This is why there are broken pipes everywhere (in Sabah).
“This could be hazardous to the people. My concern is that if this (problem) is not solved as soon as possible, Sabahans could end up having no clean water supply.”
He said a thorough plan will be drafted as “there is no use replacing only the pipes if we don’t also replace surface water intake structures and create new ponds”.
“I urge the Public Works Department to get the allocation and repair the critical cases first, because the overall cost (to repair the Segaliud-Batu Putih pipeline) is about RM10 million.
“If they acquire RM1 million or RM2 million, then they must fix the critical parts first. We will proceed with other repairs when there is more allocation,” he said, describing the situation as “critical”.
On Segaliud’s old water pumps, Bung Moktar said it is not a serious problem as two of them are still functioning.
“However, we are expecting a new pump in two months to act as a back-up pump.” – The Vibes, January 25, 2021
