SEMPORNA: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has hit back at critics blaming the state government over Sabah’s water woes, asking what they had done when they were in power.
“When there is no water, they blame our government. But what did they do when they were in power? Nothing,” he told reporters here on Tuesday (Sept 8).
Hajiji said the problem had existed for years and was inherited by the present Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) administration.
“The water problem did not arise during the GRS government. It has been there for a long time, so we have to do our best as a responsible government,” he said.
Hajiji was speaking after launching 106 two-storey shop units under Phase One of an LPPB commercial development and officiating the groundbreaking for Phases Two and Three on Jalan Bubul here.
He said the state government was spending more than RM1bil on water improvement projects, with one major project expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Another project in Tawau had reached about 50% to 60% progress, he added.
Hajiji said water pipes were also being replaced in several districts to curb losses from leakages, water theft and other related problems.
He added that similar longstanding issues involving roads and electricity were also being addressed by the state government.
Sabah’s longstanding water problems have become increasingly acute in recent years, with recurring disruptions, rationing and supply shortages affecting major urban centres and rural districts amid ageing infrastructure, high water losses and rising demand.
