KUALA LUMPUR: Gamuda Bhd
in partnership with Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Perak (PKNPk) has accepted an appointment by the Perak state government to develop and operate water treatment and distribution infrastructure in Kerian.
In a statement, the construction and engineering group said the project forms part of a strategic initiative by the Perak state and Federal governments to address long-standing water shortages for irrigation, domestic and industrial use in the region.
The initiative - dubbed the Northern Perak Water Supply Scheme (NPWSS) - has a total development value of RM5bil.
"The NPWSS scheme is designed to transfer 1,500 million litres per day of raw water from Sungai Perak to the Bukit Merah Dam.
"Of this total, 500MLD of raw water will be for the immediate irrigation needs of Northern Perak with the balance made available for treatment to meet the domestic and industrial demands of the State," it said.
According to Gamuda, its joint venture with PKNPk, the state's development agency, will undertake the development and operation of water treatment and distribution infrastructure in the Kerian district in Northern Perak.
It will also supply treated water to the Kerian Integrated Green Industrial Park (KIGIP) and sell the excess treated water to Penang.
The undertakings will be on a privatisation basis with a minimum 40-year operation period, it added.
The development is subject to approvals from the relevant regulatory authorities.
Gamuda Engineering executive director Faris Mohd Yusof said the approval marks a progressive step towards the realisation of Northern Perak’s long-term water security strategy by 2030.
"We are pleased to have been entrusted with the opportunity to jointly develop a key component of the NPWSS scheme for our home state of Perak.
"We are committed to ensure the critical delivery of water for the State with a focus on local workforce and community development," he added.
