Matunggong water woes worsen

Matunggong villagers claimed water turned dark brown following the maintenance contracts of six companies overseeing 58 water treatment plants in the state were terminated early this year. - NSTP/File pic

By Olivia Miwil - October 17, 2019 @ 2:39pm

MATUNGGONG: The water crisis in the constituency has worsened ever since the maintenance contracts of six companies overseeing 58 water treatment plants in the state were terminated early this year.

Villagers claim the water turned dark brown a month ago.

Matunggong assemblyman Julia Majungki has urged the Sabah Water Department to find a solution to the problem immediately.

She said the villagers’ health was at stake as they might be consuming untreated water.

“We had been facing a water crisis since before, but the situation has become worse.

“The villagers would like to know the main reason for the prolonged water crisis, especially at the Milau Dam in the last couple of months,” she said.

Last December, Sabah Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony said the state government had decided to terminate the contracts of six companies effective Jan 15.

He said the rates imposed by the firms were too high.

During the tabling of 2020 Budget, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had announced allocations to be given to ensure 99 per cent of access to water in the state’s rural areas.