Kedah MB cites cost of materials over water treatment plant delay

 

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has denied claims that the state’s water crisis was linked to the state government’s failure to manage the upgrade works of water treatment plants.

He said this in response to Deputy Energy Transition and Public Utilities Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir who singled out the delay at the Bukit Selambau water treatment plant (WTP).

Sanusi (above) today pointed to the rising cost of materials as the reason behind the delay.

“The main issue raised was why the project, supported by a federal government grant, could not be managed properly. Firstly, the grant complies with the laws for rural water supply, and we also received loans for urban areas.

“The project tender was opened in 2020 after the state brought it to the federal level as selecting the project contractor required federal permission.

“When the project was awarded, there was a 40 to 70 percent increase in construction material prices. As a result, the construction costs for all WTPs increased, while the tenders were approved before the price hike,” he was quoted as saying by NST.

Deputy Energy Transition and Public Utilities Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir

Sanusi added that contractors addressed this issue by applying for the Variation of Prices (VOP) clause, but the lack of approval has slowed construction work.

He urged the federal government to consider expediting the approval of the VOP requests.

The Jeneri assemblyperson also chided Akmal for publicising the matter instead of raising his qualms in a private meeting with the state government.

In a video posted to social media yesterday, Akmal lamented the delay of the upgrade works for the Bukit Selambau WTP, adding that the RM129 million grant provided by the federal government for the project was not a loan.

It was reported in 2021 that Widad Group Bhd’s wholly owned subsidiary Widad Builders Sdn Bhd secured a RM129.4 million contract from the state government to carry out the upgrade.

The contract period was stipulated to commence from June 6, 2021, to Dec 2, 2023.

However, in 2022, Sanusi blamed a change in policy by the previous state government for a delay in upgrades for five WTPs including Bukit Selambau.

Energy Transition and Public Utilities Minister Fadillah Yusof was quoted last week as saying his ministry was examining new methods to ensure immediate completion of the Bukit Selambau WTP, adding that it was categorised as a “sick” project due to the delays.

The minister said the contractor of the project may be terminated. - Mkini