KIMANIS – Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has given his assurance that he will look into the water supply disruptions caused by the ongoing Pan Borneo Highway construction.
He said a coordination meeting will be held between the highway’s project management consultant Sabah Public Works Department and all the utility companies involved.
“My officers and the ministry’s chief secretary are here, they will look into these issues and coordinate the meetings.
“These matters are beyond us – we are building the highway. At this point, I am not aware of the actual issue but I am sure the state government will look into it and resolve the problems faced by the people,” he said after conducting a site visit to the Pan Borneo Highway Kimanis Interchange today.
He added that his ministry is focused on building the highway funded by the federal government, and that coordination with the utility firms is needed to ensure water supply issues do not arise.
Works for the highway have resulted in numerous water supply disruptions in areas such as Kota Kinabalu, Papar, and the adjacent areas.
In a recent incident, more than 5,000 residents in an apartment area near Sepanggar faced water rationing. The Sabah Water Department attributed the problem to the ongoing highway works near Taman Kingfisher.
Thousands more residents in Taman Pantai Lok Kawi in Papar also experienced the same problem largely due to the roadworks in Jalan Papar Lama.
The Sabah Water Department did not share details with The Vibes, but most of the affected residents blamed it on the ongoing roadworks.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister and Works Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin also highlighted water supply issues last year. – The Vibes, April 8, 2021