The construction of Cinta Mata Water Dam has been long awaited by Tawau public, even though the project was “announced to start” a few times before. I urge the government to expedite the project as the project implementation was deferred two years after the project scope changed.
In a statement released by Tawau water engineer Ishar Hamka Ismail early of this month, he has mentioned that the Tawau district water supply is just “ngam ngam” (enough) to cope with the people’s need there, which 140MLD water supplied daily and 140MLD water consumed by the public daily as well. In other words, the water supply in Tawau district is vulnerable and it will become inconsistent once the draught season coming.
Given this tight water supply scenario, we can’t tolerate with any sudden water level drop in the water intake. The bad news is, just after few days Ishar warned the public about the scenario, he announced the Water Department will carry out water rationing at several areas in the district to address the low water intake at the Utara water treatment plant. 10,000 consumers would be affected. How ironic is it!
The water supply is expected to return to it’s normal operation, after the intake water level going up again. However, relying on act of God, should not be the way by the government of the day who entrusted by the people to handle the issue.
I would like to remind our Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, what he had said in Sin Onn market, Tawau during his Chinese New Year visit this year. He said the RM640 million Cinta Mata dam project in Gudang Empat is set to get off the ground following approval of the allocation in the early of this year by the Economic Planning Unit. He also told us that the tender for the project undertaken through a loan agreement between the state government and federal government would be called soon. So, what is the status now?
The deferred Cinta Mata Water Dam project, was said to get off in June last year, as promised by the Member Parliament of Tawau, Datuk Mary Yap. Any further delay for the project is belittling the people of Tawau, and the credibility of the government of the day would be questioned by the public, Chan emphasized.
Tawau has it’s most critical water supply situation last year. The areas experiencing water problems are Sin Onn, Sin Onn-Tiku, Kubota Road, Ranggu, Kg. Tinagat, Kg Batu Payung, Kg Kausing, PPRT Mile 8, Mile 3 Apas to Bandar Sri Indah at Mile 10 Apas Road and the surrounding areas.