Kelantan Water Woes To Be Fully Resolved In 30 40 Years Says Minister

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The Water and Environment Ministry has estimated that a holistic solution to Kelantan's water supply woes will be reached in the next three to four decades
Its minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (above) said steps are being taken in stages as part of efforts to offer relief to the people in Kelantan
"The pipes in Kelantan are too old, I think (they are) about 40 years old and so they will incur a large cost to replace
"If we don't replace them then the problem will not be solved," said the PAS deputy president, adding that the water supply issue in the party's stronghold state is among the ministry's priorities
"It also includes the problems of existing reservoirs that need to be enlarged, the high capacity of people in Kelantan requires continuous supply and we target for a solution in the next 30 to 40 years
"InsyaAllah it will be done," he said at a press conference after meeting with Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob and the state’s executive councillors at Kompleks Kota Darulnaim, Kota Bharu, today
An aide to Tuan Ibrahim later clarified that what the minister meant was ongoing measures taken are expected to alleviate water problems in Kelantan for the next 30 to 40 years
Overall, Tuan Ibrahim said the ministry would require RM7.3 billion in allocation to execute its planned projects
He said the ministry will be submitting an application for the allocation to the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department, for it to be included in the 12th Malaysia Plan
"The overall allocation involved several big projects including the three-phase flood retention project in Tumpat, Rantau Panjang, and Pasir Mas
"Aside from that, in Tunjung, RM600 million has been approved for an integrated sewerage project and other projects related to flood and water supply issues," he said, adding that work is in progress with phase one scheduled for completion in October. - Mkini

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