Better Water Dept-PWD coordination needed in KK
Published on: Tuesday, January 28, 2020
By: Sherell Jeffrey
KOTA KINABALU: Better coordination between the Water Department and the Public Works Department is needed to ensure work efficiency, especially where damaged pipes due to road construction is concerned.
“I do not deny that road construction is important, it is also under the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, but at the same time these contractors should be mindful of their work especially when handling utilities,” said Sabah Water Department Director, Datuk Amarjit Singh, during site inspections at several locations here, Monday.
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“We will meet with the Public Works Department to discuss better coordination between both departments on Wednesday,” he said.
There have been complaints regarding poor water supply in and around areas surrounding Sepanggar and Sulaman including Institut Latihan Perindustrian, Institut Kemahiran Mara and the Bomba Academy over the past few days.
Two obvious elements leading to poor water supply is water theft at Suang Parai and Kg Delima plus damaged pipes due to on-going road construction along the Sulaman stretch.
“We raided several locations in Kg Delima and found six illegal water connections. This has caused water pressure problem. We have taken action by cutting off the illegal water connection,” he said, adding that compounds would also be issued.
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On the damaged pipes due to road construction, he said, he would discuss with the Public Works Department Director on how to coordinate works efficiently.
“One of our pipes (450mm) were damaged since last Thursday but our Department was not informed. Imagine how much water had gone to waste over the four days.
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“I again plead to road contractors to inform our Department immediately should such happen. Don’t hide it under the carpet.
“Perhaps in future, we can have officers and engineers from the Water Department involved in coordinating such works because only those in the Department know where these pipe distributions are.
“We cannot blame those machine operators, their task is to only dig the earth. but if our team are there to coordinate, at least they can inform where the pipes are,” he said.
Cases of damaged utilities, especially water, is not unusual in Sabah.
Last year in May, Sabah Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony warned contractors, particularly Pan Borneo Highway to be mindful of their work when handling utility lines or risk having their contracts terminated.
The warning came following numerous complaints of water and electricity disruption in areas surrounding the construction, a majority especially in Sipitang, Beaufort and Papar.
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