JOHOR BARU: DESPITE being told that it will not affect their lives, villagers in Kampung Pasir, which is earmarked for a RM40 million state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant, are worried that the project will affect their lives.
Many of the 9,000 residents of the village and its surrounding areas are unhappy with the lack of information about the project.
They say more briefings and information about the plant can soothe their worries.
Abas Said, the village head, said many were against the project because they were worried the facility would emit an unpleasant odour.
“The developer needs to engage with villagers more and provide them with information on the project to show that there is nothing to worry about.
“Once residents are assured that their lives will not be affected, they will understand the need for the plant,” Abas told the New Straits Times.
He said he was in a tough spot as he had to prioritise the villagers’ interests, but did not want to stop development.
The sewage treatment plant is expected to be built on a 8.9ha site by the banks of Sungai Skudai in Kampung Pasir.
The project was proposed by the Energy, Water and Communication Ministry (now the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry) in 2008.
The plant will have four oxidation ponds, each capable of serving 100,000 PE (population equivalent).
A 50m buffer zone will separate the plant from the village and some squatter homes will be demolished to make way for the project.
It is learnt the plant will serve the mammoth luxury housing and commercial projects being built in Danga Bay.
Some residents claimed they
were told about the project only last year.
Their unhappiness culminated
on Saturday when 50 residents walked out during a dialogue on the project.
However, Pulai member of parliament Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, who attended the dialogue, urged villagers not to politicise the issue.
He said most villagers’ grouses had been settled, and assured them that the plant would use technologies that eliminated odour and ensured pollution would be kept in check.
The plant’s developer, Iskandar Waterfront Holdings, said it had addressed concerns raised by residents.
Its general manager (projects and development), Fadhilah Yahya, said the company would continue to listen to the residents and provide information.
“We are trying to do this right and in a transparent manner. We have nothing to hide.”
She said the plant needed to be operational by mid-2016 as that was the expected completion date of
the luxury housing project in
Danga Bay.
“We are behind schedule because we need about two years to build and test the plant.
“The project includes a 3km-long underground sewage pipe system and landscaping works around the plant.
“Once the residents agree to it, we might divide the construction into three packages that will be implemented at the same time so that we can meet the deadline.”