KOTA KINABALU: Phase two of the RM400 million Telibong water treatment plant upgrading project in Tuaran, is expected to kickoff next year.
The upgrading will cater the needs of the increased consumers around the city and neighbouring districts.
Sabah water department director Datuk Wilis Ansoi said it will double the plant capacity from its current 80 million litre per day (MLD) 160 MLD.
Existing output of the plant, could not cater to the needs of consumers due to increasing demand from the state capital’s rapid urbanisation, leading to water supply disruption at times.
“For example areas in Manggatal are facing water disruption now due to low water pressure which our department is looking at.
“The long term plan is through the RM400 million for the phase two of the upgrading project which we hope will to start next year and completed in three years,” he said at the state planning conference in conjunction with World Town Planning Day 2017.
At present, the cleanwater supply for Kota Kinabalu and surrounding districts like Penampang and Tuaran are channeled through two main water plants namely Telibong and Babagom Dam in Penampang.
Earlier Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman at the launch of the conference said public participation is important in developing a liveable city in Sabah including in the planning process before execution.
“The government is committed in designing development based on the people’s needs by utilising the public sector as a platform to understand the issues from grassroots, as well as finding a creative solution.
“The Sabah Structure Plan 2033, submitted last year by Town and Regional Planning Department and approved by the government, is a comprehensive plan that could be used as guidelines by all ministries, agencies as well as private sector in the next 20 years.
“It is a strong start to realise Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s aspiration of National Transformation 2050 (TN50),” said Musa.
Musa’s speech text was read out by State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
In relation to that, he said the Tanjung Aru Eco Development (TAED) plan has also gone through a public participation process in gaining their inputs.
“The people have been given the chance to get the correct information and give their constructive views and ideas to the government in developing the well-known beach and tourism destination of Tanjung Aru,” said Musa.
He said the progressive technology also allowed the local authorities to use various channels of communication to engage the public in town planning.