KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah registered environmental expert is recommending additional procedures to make international projects in Sabah more transparent.
Dr Raymond Alfred was responding to the environmental concerns raised by Warisan Supreme Council member Chen Ket Chuin on a China-owned company's mining operation in Sikuati, Kudat.
"The first is the establishment of a 'Grievance Procedure' for all the stakeholders including nearby residents, conservationists and the diving community.
"The second is a follow up action to enable the project to carry out the Free, Prior and Informed consent (FPIC) agreement within five village areas that are affected, namely Kampung Bangau, Andab Bangau, Andab Darat, Kimihang and Longgom Kecil around Bangau beach area.
"The project revenue sharing plan for the state is to enable the distribution of the royalty fee received from the extraction of the silica sand for commercialisation purposes, to further be utilised to support the basic infrastructure development in Sabah such as the electricity and water facilities," he said in a statement.
However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN's expert, assured that the Sabah Environmental Protection Department (EPD) is monitoring the silica sand mining project sites every step of the way.
To date, three (3) EIA reports were submitted and approved by the EPD, which include the proposed 401.1-hectare silica sand mining and processing plant, SBH Kibing private bulk jetty and the proposed earthwork activities for glass factory development within the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) in Kota Kinabalu.
"The developers have complied with all regulatory requirements so far. The EIA guidelines will be met for this project, and all impact mitigation measures for any arising issues are being addressed as well."
He believed that investments in silica sand in Sabah would enhance the overall business-chain of various industries in the country, improving local economic activities and infrastructure as well as building local vendors and its supply chain.
Based on a report in 2000, he said the Mineral and Geoscience department estimated around 44 million tonnes of high-quality silica in Sabah.
He added the expected royalty fee paid to the government of Sabah through the Land and Survey Department is about 5 per cent from the market price of the silica sand, which is RM7 per metre cubic.
He added that based on the volume, Sabah revenue for silica reserves is approximately RM280 million.
"This revenue should be allocated by the government to solve the challenges faced by Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd in ensuring sustainable supply of electricity for the local residents and the surrounding industrial activities."
He believes that investments in silica sand in Sabah would enhance the overall business-chain of various industries in the country, improving local economic activities and infrastructure as well as building local vendors and its supply chain.
"I believe that under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Sabah will further attract more investment and development with the strong environmental compliance requirement setup by the government.
"As for Warisan Supreme Council member (Chen), he should gather the official complaints from the official channels so that the problems can be strategically addressed and solved based on the availability of actual complaints as evidence, and not through hearsay."