RM13 billion needed for water works, says Bung

 

Bung Moktar Radin says old water pipes in Sabah must be replaced. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: An estimated RM13 billion is needed in an effort to improve the water quality in Sabah, said deputy chief minister Bung Moktar Radin.

He said the cost included works to replace pipes that are more than 50 years old and to fix leaking pipes.

“About 45% of the water piping system in Sabah is still using old pipes … some of these pipes were built during the British colonial era and have never been replaced.

“This can cause harm to the community and what worries me is that the people of Sabah will not be able to enjoy clean water supply if it is not addressed as soon as possible,” he said on a visit to inspect a bridge in Kinabatangan which was badly damaged by heavy rainfall.

Earlier, Bung visited the Segaliud water treatment plant in Sandakan which will get a new water pump in two months’ time, replacing the broken ones.

The Sabah Public Works minister said there were also underground water pipes that were damaged due to soil movement which also caused leakage.

As such he said a proper and well-organised water piping system is important to overcome the problem.

Bung said in order to facilitate the distribution of water supply in Sabah, the state government was planning to replace the surface water intake structures and build a new water reservoir. - FMT