By Olivia Miwil - August 10, 2020 @ 11:15am
Kampung Bisuang villager Monica Petrus, 32, is hoping for Sabah government to reconsider other alternatives apart from building controversial Papar dam.- NSTP/OLIVIA MIWIL
PENAMPANG: The Sabah government has been urged to look at alternatives for water reservoirs in place of the controversial Papar dam.
One of the villagers, Monica Petrus, 32, said the community living near the proposed sites in the district hoped that the mega project would be scrapped.
"We are strongly against the Papar dam construction as it causes plenty of inconveniences to the community, especially those living by the river. The river is our source of livelihood.
"There have been suggestions from non-governmental organisations and experts on the availability of other alternatives apart from this dam," she said when met at the World Indigenous People's Day celebration at PACOS Trust headquarters here yesterday.
Monica added that there are still thousands of people living in the area although they live far apart from each other.
The billion ringgit project, which was previously known as Kaiduan Dam, was proposed during the Barisan Nasional government's administration prior to the 14th General Election.
A study indicated that by 2030, Sabah will face a bad water crisis and the said dam is hoped to be able to supply water to millions of people.
Meanwhile, Kapayan assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang said at this juncture, the project has yet to be awarded nor has the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) been conducted.
"It is the government's view that the Papar Dam has to be built (to address water shortage), but it has to be based on due diligence whereby they have to go through the EIA and seek opinions from the community.
"Me and other elected representatives, Moyog assemblyman Jenifer Lasimbang and Penampang member of parliament Datuk Darell Leiking have also given our views to the state Chief Minister to look into alternatives (to source for water supply)."
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