TUARAN: The relevant authorities have been given two weeks to come up with the final additional funds required to complete the second phase of the Telibong Water treatment plant here.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said he had been entrusted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with the task of finding a solution.
"This area is quite critical, not only for the industry and local residents but also because we are aware of Universiti Malaysia Sabah's water issues. So, I came to see it for myself.
"What I directed is for two ministries, namely our Energy Transition and Public Utilities ministry and the Works ministry, and several agencies including the Public Works department and Sabah's water supply department, to sit down and discuss how to find a solution, especially regarding the water pipe flow.
"This is because the project requires additional funding," he told the media after visiting the Telibong II Tamparuli Water Treatment Plant Capacity Expansion Project here.
The project would be increased from 80 Million Liters Daily (MLD) to 160 MLD, including the main pipeline and storage tanks. The water storage capacity will increase from 94.6 million liters (ML) to 163.3 ML.
The improvement in the operation and service level of the water supply involves an estimated population of 441,000 people and an increased coverage of supply to the Northern West Coast areas.
The project is already 94.57 percent complete and expected to be fully completed by February.
Fadhillah said the Sabah water supply department will discuss how to find a solution, especially for the water pipeline flow, as this project requires additional funding.
He added the working method might change as some pipes may need to be installed underground and others above ground.
Other challenges that hinder the project progress were the coordination between two involved agencies, namely Pan Borneo and the project management team.
"In two weeks, when there is a complete solution with estimated costs, we will return to request federal government assistance.
"There is a need to find additional funds within the existing budget, especially in the form of a loan, to resolve it.
"The challenge will be the allocation is by way of a loan to the state government, there is a provision for loan, (but) it is quite limited," he said.
Present were Assistant public works minister Datuk Limus Jury, Tuaran member of Parliament Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau and Sabah Water director Suhaimi Asbullah.
He also visited the Gudon/Telipok Distribution Substation (PPU) Project in Kota Kinabalu and Integrated River Basin Development Project for the Moyog River, Sabah.