Understand why Kaiduan Dam is important, says Pairin
Published on: Saturday, July 16, 2011
Kota Kinabalu: The people must understand and accept the fact that Sabah will soon face a shortage of clean water supply in a few years, and the State Government is trying its very best to ensure the problem is resolved.In respect of this, they should see that the proposed Kaiduan Dam was only a logical consideration with the purpose of benefiting the whole community in Sabah, said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Joseph Pairin Kitingan.Pairin who is State Infrastructure Development Minister said, it was unfair that only negativity was seen in the controversial dam, and not the overall picture and the objective of planning the dam as a pre-emptive measure. ADVERTISEMENT "Although it has not been finalised because it is being studied or a 'feasibility study' being carried out, we are all aware the idea has already created sentiments among the people, especially the villagers in the area involved, to oppose the project."So this is a subject matter that we need to consider carefully. Water supply by 2015 will face a shortage due to the density of the people, increase in population, industries and consumption. So, we cannot allow a water shortage to disrupt our daily routine."I feel this is a very important aspect of the objective of the Kaiduan dam which we all must share ...and I hope this will receive positive response from the majority of our people, including those who are affected," he told reporters after a meeting with the State Water Department officials at his office, here.ADVERTISEMENT He was asked to comment on the progress of the RM2.8 billion proposed dam to be build at Ulu Papar, where villagers from the surrounding areas have protested since it was first mentioned by the State government back in 2008.The proposed Kaiduan dam was to supply water to the districts of Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Penampang, Putatan and Papar up to 2050 but there were concerns that the project would impact the ecosystem of the Papar river and the Tagal system (a community-based fisheries management system) initiated by several villages along the river.
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In a report in 2009, Pairin was quoted saying that the proposed dam will only involve four villages with a number of 22 houses and between 250 to 300 people, and not 11 villages as published by the media then.Pairin said the question that everyone must ask now is whether such a project was smart planning or not, in order to face the State's impending need.