‘RM320 mln soft loan to solve Sabah’s water problems approved’

The federal soft loan of RM320 million to rectify Sabah’s water problems have been approved, said state Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.

He added that they had already called for tenders for the initiatives involved.

The allocation would be used to implement six programmes involving 20 projects in Sabah, to include nine projects under the district plans for Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Putatan, Papar, Beaufort, Keningau, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Sandakan.

Shahelmey said for Kota Kinabalu North, Telibong Phase 2 had begun operating, but was facing a technical issue on how to distribute water since the main pipe had yet to be fully installed.

“However, we have installed the piping network which will supply 30 mld additional (of water supply) to be distributed to Sepanggar and Kota Kinabalu North,” he said during his Chinese New Year walkabout here last Sunday.

Shahelmey also visited the Tionghua business community in Tanjung Aru.

He added that the water issue in Kota Kinabalu, Putatan and Penampang should be stabilised within this month.

At the same time, he said they were also carrying out disconnection of illegal water connections in Sepanggar, along Jalan Sulaman and villages near UiTM Sabah.

“This will reduce water leakages and NRW (non-revenue water). This is a continued effort and done periodically,” he said.

Shahelmey also said illegal water connections would occur when those needing water had problems getting the water metre.

“After the disconnection of illegal connections, we will carry out the vendor scheme, where we will appoint a head in the colony who will monitor the water supply. They can purchase water under the vendor scheme,” he said.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said last year that the federal government had granted Sabah RM320 million to carry out short-term plans to solve the state’s recent water woes.

Hajiji said the aid was approved after a costing estimate was presented at a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya to discuss Sabah’s water supply problem.