KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's Infrastructure Development Ministry has outlined five development plans to be carried out in stages within the next 10 years.
Its minister Datuk Peter Anthony said the ministry will also formulate a new strategy to address water supply issues in the state, including problems concerning non-revenue water.
He also said the government plans to build the Papar Dam as a long-term solution to water supply issues in high-demand areas, namely Kota Kinabalu, Penamapng, Putatan, Papar and Tuaran.
“We are also planning to build a main port in Kudat, which will function as the trading centre, and upgrade the train service sector in Sabah for the comfort and safety of passengers.
“This includes expanding Sabah's railway services to the northern and eastern part of the state,” he said in his winding-up speech at the state legislative assembly sitting here, today.
Meanwhile, Peter said the state water department received the highest amount of development funds in 2019 (RM172.45 million), followed by Public Works Department (RM65.71 million) and Sabah Railway Department (RM8.05 million).
The Ports and Harbours Department received RM3.81 million, he added.
For supply allocation, the water department also received the highest allocation (RM464.23 million), followed by Public Works Department (RM110.87 million), Sabah Railway Department (RM34.28 millio) and Ports and Harbours (RM16.72 million).
“I am committed to ensuring that each distribution will be used wisely according to the planning that has been drafted by each department and agency under the ministry,” he said.