Priority for water, power — Peter

INFRASTRUCTURE Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony said that with a comprehensive and sustainable infrastructure development, Sabah would not lose its competitiveness.

“That is why during the ministry’s annual gathering early this year I stressed to the staff on the need for a holistic and encompassing service infrastructure,” he said.

Peter said that the ministry would give focus to the underserved group and disclosed that the clean water and electricity supply would be our priority in the coming five years.

Development in Sabah would be inclusive and people-centric, he said.

“The ministry through the State Water Department will focus on resolving issues pertaining to water supply especially in the aspect of reducing the percentage of non-revenue revenue (NRW) which is still high.

“At the same time, my ministry will start work on the construction of the Papar dam as a long term solution to the water supply problem in Kota Kinabalu and its surrounding areas.

“The ministry through the Public Works Department is also ready with the restructured model for the Pan Borneo Highway project and it will ensure that it brings a wider benefit and effective,” he said.

Peter also reiterated that the proposal to build the 175km railway from Kota Kinabalu to Kudat would be carried out and it was not just wishful thinking.

On the state government’s takeover of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB), Peter said the state government had appointed a consultant to conduct due diligence study on the proposal which encompasses the financial and technical.

The State Economic Planning Unit (EPU) had been tasked to coordinate the takeover process and the negotiation process between TNB and the Federal Government was expected to be completed within two years or earlier, he said.

Peter said that MESTECC and the Energy Commission had held several discussions with SESB to review its SAIDI target as well as its road map to reduce SAIDI with consideration given to incentives and allocation needed that can be provided by the federal government.

According to Peter, the status of the Upper Padas hydro electric project had yet to be finalised by the Ministry of Energy, Science Technology, Environment and Climate Change while a similar project in Telekosong is in the midst of obtaining its approval from the State Water Department and Forestry Department and is expected to be completed by July 2021.