KOTA KINABALU: Rural and Regional Development Ministry has been urged to immediately implement projects to supply water to rural areas in Kudat.
Sabah Special Tasks Minister Datuk Seri Teo Chee Kang, in a statement, said the particular projects involved extension of water piping system to Kampung Limau-Limauan and water supply to Kampung Suangpai.
The water piping extension project covers Kampung Parapat Laut, Kampung Malaman and Kampung Milau.
"It is extremely frustrating for the villagers in Kampung Limau-Limauan, Kampung Parapat Laut, Kampung Malaman and Kampung Milau that they are not able to enjoy treated water despite their villages are located next to Milau dam cum water treatment plant.
"I actually raised this issue in the state assembly and proposed for such project during my first term as backbencher. However, water pipes were only laid till part of Kampung Malaman to the exclusion of others," he said.
Teo, who is Tanjong Kapor assemblyman, said he had checked with the Economy Planning Unit (EPU) through Prime Minister’s Office in March last year and was given a written reply that RM21 million allocation was already approved for the projects.
"It was expected to be tendered in October 2017. It is a disappointment to me and more so to the villagers that the tender process is still not completed until today.
"I remember that the Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri had also announced the approval for this project when he officiated the Umno Kudat annual general meeting last year," he noted.
As for Kampung Suangpai, Teo said water could not reach the village due to the altitude and lack in water pressure.
He stressed on the need to build a booster pump station, an elevated water tank, a balancing tank and to expand the water distribution network.
"When I checked with the relevant authority last year, I was told that the RM10 million project could commence by December 2017.
"In a meeting with the KKLW Secretary-General Datuk Borhan Dolah in his Putrajaya office on March 23, I was glad to be given the confirmation that the designs were being finalised.
"The tender process for both said projects will be completed by April or early May this year, and work can start soon thereafter.
"Beside expressing my gratitude to the secretary general, I am also impressed on them that these two projects must be treated as top priorities as the villagers have been enduring the lack of treated water all these years." said Teo.