KOTA KINABALU: Another environmentally sensitive project in Sabah has hit a snag and it is going to cost the government, the people and marine ecology in the vicinity dearly.
The revelation comes on the heels of the controversy plagued coal power plant in Lahad Datu that the government tried to kick-start recently.
The government admitted this week that the sea-reclamation work it is conducting on a section of the city's coastline to extend the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) runway has been bogged down by environmental concerns.
Transport minister Kong Cho Ha said Monday during a site visit that technical problems continue to plague the RM1.4 billion KKIA expansion project and it is now unclear whether it can be completed by its new due date in March next year and cost overruns are expected.
Among the problems the work has encountered is the unforeseen impact it would have on the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park that surrounds a cluster of islands comprising Pulau Gaya, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik and Pulau Sulug, all only a 20 minutes boat ride from here.
According to Sabah Environmental Protection Association (Sepa) president Wong Tack, the marine life and corals in the famed tourist attraction have already taken a hit.
"Also affected are the those living along the coast as erosion has started to occur in areas where houses have been built close to the sea," he said.
Meanwhile, Kong admitted that reclamation work and the requirements of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report as set by the Environment Protection Department was hindering work.
"Its about some dredging work and method of implementation. We are seeking quick solutions to all these issues…(it) has been taken to the highest level of government," he said.
The project's contractors had discussed the problem with his officers as well as the Ministry of Finance, he added.
What Sepa's Wong wants to know is if this means that the government would try get around the EIA and ram through the project.
"There is already erosion taking place in Kg Contoh (bordering the airport). Residents say houses have collapsed and that the waves hitting the shore are stronger than in the past.
"The consultant and contractor are to blame for not anticipating and predicting the problem," he said.
"This is the third time that the EIA report has been found to be faulty," he added, referring to the rejection of the coal plant EIA and the sand dredging along the Kinabatangan river that was quickly stopped by the state government due to environmental concerns.
EIA reports flawed
"Something is wrong with the way these reports are being prepared and presented. The projects' proponents and consultants appear to be either manipulating the reports to suit the projects or gross errors are appearing during their preparation.
"It is happening again and again. As such Sepa cannot trust these EIA reports," he said.
"The whole process (preparing and evaluating the EIA reports) must be revamped and scrutinised. We (Sepa) have serious concerns about the professionalism (of the project consultants).
"We should have been invited to participate. We are never invited to be on the panel. There are no government experts to question them … maybe they are told not to question.
“The people sitting on the panel have no knowledge at all of what is being proposed and how it is being implemented.
"These are the same people who did the (Kampung) Sinakut report," he said, referring to the consultants who prepared the coal plant EIA report that was rejected by the government after Sepa and environmental activists pointed out a series of glaring mistakes in the report.
Wong said he hoped the government would hold them (the panel) responsible if they are found to be misleading as the consequences of their reports and the delays caused to correct a situation invariably proved costly.
He said Sepa is now concerned that the effect the reclamation work would have a far reaching impact on the tourism revenue brought in by the marine park.
The five islands of the marine park are characterised by shallow waters, coral gardens and white sandy beaches.
The reefs lie in shallow waters with little current, making it an ideal location for novice divers.
The diverse and sometimes rare marine creatures also make it an interesting dive location for experienced divers and underwater photographers.
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