A TOTAL of RM170 million will be channelled to tackle the issue of non-revenue water (NRW) in Sabah over the course of a year, said Dr Xavier Jayakumar today.

The water, land and natural resources minister said the state’s NRW stands at 52% – one of the highest levels in the country – and the aim is to slash it to 20%.

“The cost to resolve this issue is high. So, we will do it continuously, until it is down to 20%. This may take some time.

“I have announced a RM170 million allocation for the purpose, to reduce the state’s NRW to between five and six years.

“And, we must educate the people on the prudent use of water,” he told a press conference after paying a courtesy call on Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal.

Jayakumar, who is on a working visit to Sabah, yesterday announced the approval of a RM478 million dam project to ease Tawau’s flood woes.

“Some RM50 million has been spent for the purpose of compensating landowners, among others. The sum has been settled by the state Land and Survey Department.

“All works to build the dam will be retendered soon. I believe the project can commence sometime in June next year.”

Thousands of Sabahans do not have access to treated water. Many still depend on tube wells and gravity-fed pipes.

Earlier, Jayakumar told reporters that all projects approved by the ministry under the previous Barisan Nasional government had been scrapped, including the Tawau dam.

He said he discovered that 95% of the tenders had been awarded through limited tender and direct negotiations.

Shafie said tackling the NRW issue in Sabah will not only resolve the state’s water problems, but also boost the state government’s revenue.

Jayakumar said an additional RM7 million has been allocated for a study of the floodplain in Kota Belud, the state’s rice bowl district.

“The study will help us deal with the flooding problem in the district, by deepening the river and using the excess water to irrigate (padi fields).

“It will take between nine and 12 months to complete.” – October 30, 2018.