Friday, September 08, 2006

Sipadan Facilities will be environment-friendly: Sabah CM

By BARTHOLOMEW CHONG

SEMPORNA: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman has given an assurance that the basic facilities earmarked for Sipadan Island such as staff quarters, rest-houses, toilets and showers will be built according to the recommendations of an appointed consultant.

During a working visit to the island yesterday, Musa told reporters that the consultant would make recommendations on such things as the materials to be used in the buildings as well as their location in an effort to keep the facilities environmentally friendly.

“When I came, I had a chat with a group of guests and they said there were no basic facilities such as toilets on this island,” he said.

Musa added the consultant will present a number of options for the State Government before submitting the proposals for reconsideration to a joint committee comprising the Chief Secretary to the Government and the State Secretary.

“After all this we will appoint the contractor for the work which is estimated to take four to five months to complete,” he said.

Musa stressed that the basic facilities would have to be simple, made from low-cost materials, have minimal environmental impact and most of all be needed by the guests.

He also said the present structures on the island will either be demolished or retained as recommended by the consultant, adding: “This will solve the problem once and for all.”

He said total estimated cost for the construction of the facilities is less than RM1.5 million, and the island now hosts some 30 people, including staff of Sabah Parks and General Operations Force, police and army personnel.

Also present were Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran, Gum-Gum assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Edris, Sulabayan assemblyman Datuk Mohd Lan Alani and government officials.

Courtesy of New Sabah Times

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