By Plain Speaking - By Yap Leng Kuen | Aug 18, 2010
Why the exasperating delays in some big projects?
THE delays in some big projects are causing much exasperation.
An online search defines exasperate as “to make very angry or impatient,’’ “annoy greatly,’’ “exhausted’’ and “frustrated”.
Two examples of such projects come to mind.
The delay in impoundment of the RM7.3bil Bakun Dam which has been technically ready for flooding since April.
Every minute of delay counts as that means the developer and owner, Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd, cannot start generating power to be sold to the state utility company Sarawak Energy Bhd.
Compounding the problem is that even if they can start producing power, the full offtake may be delayed as the state may not be able to absorb all that power.
That will be the situation at least in the next two to three years until the energy intensive industries come up in the Sarawak Corridor for Renewable Energy.
The delay in getting the Selangor government to issue the development order for tenders to be called for the Langat 2 water treatment plant.
The Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry is constantly urging the Selangor government not to link the water restructuring issue with the building of the treatment plant which is part of RM9bil Pahang-Selangor interstate water transfer project.
The ministry considers the construction of the plant to be urgent as numerous studies indicate that three areas – Selangor, the Federal Territory and Putrajaya – will face water rationing by 2014 if nothing is done to transfer the water from Pahang.
However, that view is challenged by the Selangor government which believes there is sufficient water until 2019.
Public awareness is already high regarding both subjects as the Bakun issue involves public savings (the project is funded via borrowings from the EPF and Pensions Fund), while the water treatment plant issue refers to the possibility that the public (in the aforementioned areas) may be without water in a few years’ time.
They can voice their apprehension in forums and through non-governmental organisations.
Apart from that, they may feel quite powerless to do something about the situation.
The feelings expressed by those on the projects appear “frighteningly’’ casual.
At Bakun, they can decide to cut cost by not operating the turbines and allowing the water to gush over the spillway, back into the river.
That may sound preposterous but, apparently, it can be done.
Reports yesterday indicated that Pahang is not worried if Selangor stalls on the water treatment project; it can just store the raw water and channel excess supply into the state’s rivers during the dry season.
Scenarios such as these indicate loss of patience and that it is no use wasting time over something that is not moving.
For the moment, the public can only keep hoping that something is done before the situation gets out of hand.
In this respect, it is the responsibility of those at the top to lend a guiding hand to bring all parties together, as a disparate family will only result in loss of direction and possible confrontation.
Senior business editor Yap Leng Kuen feels there should be more updates and explanations regarding delays involving public money or interests.
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