THE State Government has allocated RM679.85 million in the 2024 State Budget to address Sabah’s inadequate clean water supply, said State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
Of the sum, RM156.77 million is channelled to the State Water Department to implement immediate and short-term measures under a government-funded State Water Supply programme.
For medium and long-term measures, RM258.05 million will be funded under the Federal Soft Loan Programme to address water supply issues in Tawau, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Papar and Kota Kinabalu.
Masidi said RM135.86 million in Federal Grants have been provided to implement the Rural Water Supply programme under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, to improve treated water supply provision and develop new water supply infrastructure.
On floods, RM68.28 million has been allocated to mitigate and prevent the natural disaster as well as to implement stabilisation and erosion prevention programmes of riverbank and coastal areas in various flood-prone areas.
These allocations are part of the RM2.63 billion allocated towards the State’s overall infrastructure and utility development, of which RM1.72 billion is channelled to the State Works Ministry while RM886.55 million goes under the Finance Ministry.
“Thus, the State Government will continue to prioritise infrastructure development programmes and public amenities,” he said when tabling the 2024 State Budget at the State Assembly, here, Friday.
“This includes developing roads, bridges, drainages, traffic management as well as critical basic facilities such as water and electricity supply,” he added.
The Public Works Department will focus on infrastructure maintenance with an allocation of RM430.84 million, to ensure roads, bridges and public buildings are safe and sustainable.
Additionally, RM51.26 million is allocated to implement the Infrastructure and Public Amenities Development Programme involving Local Authorities.
Another RM767.01 million is allocated for minor infrastructure projects and the maintenance of roads and bridges under appointed concessionaires.
“To manage and implement various physical infrastructure and sewerage facilities programmes, as well as the operational management and maintenance of sewerage assets, the State Government has allocated a total of RM99.07 million.
“Additionally, through Federal Loan, an amount of RM169.55 million has been allocated to continue projects under Sabah Sewerage Scheme Programme,” he said.
He added the State Government will also allocate RM25.24 million to provide waterway safety and traffic control services, as well as to develop port facilities throughout Sabah.
“The navigational equipment facilities in control towers supervised by the Ports and Harbours Department will also be upgraded to ensure effective control and monitoring of vessel traffic at several active port limits to prevent accidents in port areas,” he added.
On railway services, Masidi said RM58.62 million will be allocated to improve services and infrastructure, adding the frequency of services and new services will be gradually introduced, encompassing the tourism and recreation sectors.
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