Kota Kinabalu: Engineering professionals in the State unanimously agree with State Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya’s remark that the Papar and Ulu Tomani dams are critical for a long-term solution to Kota Kinabalu’s water supply concerns.“Clean water supply is the most basic necessity for the public and industries. Without it, daily life activities will be disrupted and industry investors will think twice before coming to Sabah,” said Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM) Sabah Branch Chairman Razalie Sindong.
Razalie said the Papar and Ulu Tomani dams would ensure large water supply reserves and solve the water distress for the long term.
Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Sabah Branch Chairman Willy Chin concurred with the statement by State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun that personnel changes alone in State Water Department are insufficient to solve water issues immediately, given the presence of other contributing factors.
Chin emphasised that the Water Department receives new assets, including water treatment plants and pipelines, annually, and therefore an increase in the Department’s personnel and manpower should correspond with the acquisition of these assets to ensure they are adequately staffed and managed.
Sabah Engineers Association (SEA) President Tan Koh Yon said water theft is a perennial issue in Sabah and non-revenue water (NRW) currently stands at 54 per cent.
“Apart from sustained enforcement effort to tackle illegal water connections, replacement of ageing assets such as old water pipes and provision of adequate real time monitoring sensors will help the Department in reducing NRW,” he said.
The three engineering societies also acknowledged the State Government’s constraints due to issues of funds from Federal Government; grant or loan for water supply projects affecting payment to consultants and contractors.
“We therefore fully support the recent statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that project development of RM50 million and below shall be handed directly under the purview of State Government” they said.
They also supported the Department’s intention to map a master development plan for potential dam site and the tributary water catchment areas for water treatment and distribution facilities for the next 50 years.
They hoped that with the timely support from State Government, the State’s water supply problem will be resolved.
The three professional associations are keen and committed to offer their professional inputs and services to assist the Government to deal with the water shortage woes in Sabah.
