KOTA KINABALU: More funds are needed to complete the Telibong II water capacity enhancement project, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the project, which is aimed at upgrading the Telibong II water treatment plant’s capability to supply up to 160 million litres per day (MLD) of water from an initial 80MLD, involved the installation of the main pipe and tanks.
He said officials from the Energy Transition and Public Utilities Ministry, which he heads, and the federal Works Ministry as well as the Public Works Department (JKR) and Sabah Water Department, have been given two weeks to come up with an estimate for the extra allocation.
He said he had instructed the relevant parties to discuss the matter so they could resolve issues surrounding the plant, which is located in Tamparuli, some 40km north of the Sabah capital.
“When they come to a resolution including the estimate, we (will then) go back to the Federal Government as this allocation is through a loan.
“So, we have to discuss how to find extra funds (because) the challenge will be the allocation, which is by way of a loan to the state government.
“There is a provision for loans, but it is quite limited so, this will (also) be a challenge,” Fadillah told reporters after a visit to the plant yesterday.
He said the Prime Minister had entrusted him to resolve the matter because the plant was not only critical for industries and local residents, but also for the water supply to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said in a Facebook post that phase two of the Telibong II water t reatment plant was completed last December, although the main pipe will be completed this month.
The plant supplies water to areas north of Kota Kinabalu, the city centre, as well as the Tuaran district and its surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, when asked what was hindering the project, Fadillah said it was the coordination between the agencies overlooking the Pan Borneo Highway and the Telibong II enhancement projects.
“That’s why we’re giving them two weeks to find a solution.
“Some issues have been resolved in terms of right of way. JKR has given the water department way leave, so that has been resolved.
“But now is to find a way for the continuation of the project,” he said.
Fadillah also visited the Gudon/ Telipok main distribution substation project near here, and the Moyog Integrated River Basin Development project in Penampang, also near here.
