RANAU: Sabah Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, launched a RM63.8 million water infrastructure project here, last Sunday, significantly enhancing water quality and availability in the area.
The project, which consists of installation of raw water intake pipes from Sg Mamut to the new Water Treatment Plant here, was implemented by the State Water Department in June 2023 and scheduled for completion in December 2025.
The project includes laying new water pipes from the Sg Mamut Ulu intake to a new water treatment facility in Lohan.
According to Masidi, the project is crucial for increasing the supply of treated water to several key areas, such as Pekan Ranau, Lohan, Poring, and along Jalan Sandakan, highlighting its significance in supporting local businesses and improving the welfare and health of locals.
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Masidi, who is also Karanaan Assemblyman, said ever since the earthquake hit Ranau in 2015, the district experienced disturbances in water supply whenever the Liwagu river gets flooded.
This will lead to the water intake at the Ranau Water Department to be closed down. This causes the consumers to not get proper water supply.
He added that the project is aimed at resolving that particular problem, by building another water plant with new intakes from Sungai Nakamura and Sungai Mamut Ulu.
“This project includes pipelines for both raw and treated water, along with a modern water treatment plant.
“The system is designed to supplement the water supply produced at Kimolohing Water Treatment Plant to ensure a steady and enhanced water service throughout the district,” he said.
According to Masidi, as of April 2024, the project is 29pc complete in terms of physical construction and he commended the rapid progress.
He added that regular updates on the project’s progress will be made available and reiterated the government’s commitment to investing in critical infrastructure that improves the lives of the people in Sabah.
Meanwhile, he said about 60 per cent of revenue from the water supplied by the Water Department were not collected due to only 40 per cent of the treated water being paid by the registered customers.
“This means, the other 60 per cent consist of ‘lost water’, probably due to broken pipes that could be accidental or purposely leaked, we could only guess, but this is being fixed.
“Just like what used to occur in Kota Kinabalu where losses are about 60 per cent, but now the number has decreased drastically after the Sabah Water Department took proactive measures to find the cause of the leaks,” he said.
Also present at the event were Assistant Minister of Public Works, Datuk Limus Jury, Ranau MP Datuk Jonathan Yasin, Ranau Chinese Chamber of Commerce cum Chairman of the Ranau Hakka Association, Datuk Dr Jimmy Tham Yuk Leong, and others.
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