At least 90pc water supply issues in Pahang to be solved within 5 years, says MB

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said 237 projects to resolve water woes at blackspot areas (critical water issues) throughout the state had been identified with an allocation of RM2.3 billion. - NSTP/FARIZUL HAFIZ AWANG

KUANTAN: The Pahang government aims to solve at least 90 per cent of water supply issues plaguing districts across the state by 2027.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail (BN-Jelai) said 237 projects to resolve water woes at blackspot areas (critical water issues) throughout the state had been identified with an allocation of RM2.3 billion.

"To date, 77 projects have been completed, 34 projects are in the midst of construction and the remaining ones are in the designing stages. The projects involved the installation of new pipes of various sizes for a length measuring some 250km to overcome frequent water disruption issues.

"The 237 projects involve solving issues of frequent unscheduled water cuts, low pressure, new water supply networking, frequent burst pipes and the drop in equipment efficiency.

"I target to settle at least 90 per cent of the water issues within the next five years," he said when replying to a question from Datuk Khairuddin Mahmud (BN-Pulau Manis) on the efforts taken by Pengurusan Air Pahang Bhd (Paip) to monitor and solve water issues in Pahang during the state assembly sitting at Wisma Sri Pahang here today.

Wan Rosdy also said out of the 237 projects, 35 were listed as priority projects as mentioned during the winding-up session of the previous state assembly sitting on April 1.

"Out of the 35 projects, five have been completed and six more will be completed this year with the construction progress exceeding 60 per cent. The interstate 29km-long water supply project between Kemaman, Terengganu and Gebeng near here is scheduled to be completed in June next year.

"The remaining 23 projects are still in the designing stages. These projects are set to benefit more than 140,000 account holders in 11 districts, including new industrial and commercial investors, as well as help to accelerate the local economy and future development," he said.

Meanwhile, Wan Rosdy described issues concerning water supply as complex, demanded proper planning, involved a huge budget and required time to be solved.

"It is a huge responsibility for the Pahang government and Paip to execute the projects and the progress is closely monitored by the state government. However, just like other matters, these projects will require time to complete.

"All 237 projects to improve the water supply were identified based on the weekly meetings held between the state government with Paip managers at the district level in Pahang. Each discussion will scrutinise the water problems at each district and find a complete solution," he said.

Wan Rosdy said Paip had raised all the issues faced at each district comprehensively before discussing the necessary upgrading that should be carried out, including solving the water supply issues at blackspot areas (critical water issues).

By T.N. Alagesh - August 2, 2022 @ 1:21pm