By WU VUIDE
TAMPARULI: Works to drain and clean up water polluted by the biogas system in Kampung Kauluan are 80 per cent complete, said Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar.
The progress has been smooth following several improvement measures ordered for the company, including the appointment of a new engineer specifically responsible for environmental and biogas management.
He said the engineer would focus on environmental issues and the welfare of villagers, including going to the ground whenever complaints were received from the local community.
“I am quite satisfied with the efforts to drain the area previously polluted by water from the biogas system. About 80 per cent has been completed, and several measures we asked the company to implement have also been carried out.
“The appointment of the new engineer is important. He is no longer responsible for the chickens, but will focus on the environment and the villagers. If villagers lodge complaints, he must go and look into them,” he said after a follow-up inspection at Kampung Kauluan.
Jamawi said he would conduct another inspection in three months to assess progress on the measures.
During this three-month period, he said no new chicks would be allowed into the farm to temporarily reduce chicken production, giving the company time to clean the contaminated ponds and transfer excess material to new ponds.
“After three months, we will assess the situation. If everything is going well, the company can increase the number of new chicks. But if things are not going well, we will stop it again and operations may remain at 50 per cent,” he said.
He said the State Government was taking a firm approach to addressing the issue, with monitoring also involving the Sabah Veterinary Services Department and representatives from relevant departments.
He said about 60 per cent of the issues within his ministry’s jurisdiction in Kauluan and the farm area could be resolved following yesterday’s inspection and discussions, while the remaining 40 per cent involved matters outside his ministry’s jurisdiction.
“Regarding noise and odour pollution, I will ask the village head to submit the matter to the Environment Department. On our part, we will follow up.
“Veterinary matters have been resolved, so we are asking the Department of Environment to assist with the other matters. I will also follow up and ensure that the matter moves forward,” he said.
Jamawi said his ministry was also prepared to work with the department to reduce the odour arising from the operation.
Meanwhile, he said the government also planned to have corn planted in the area through cooperation between the company and villagers.
The corn produced will be given to the chickens here as feed, he added.
“So, the Kauluan chickens will become the first users of the corn produced by the people of Kauluan,” he said.
He said the approach would not only make productive use of the land, but also create cooperation between villagers and the company in developing local agricultural activities.
Jamawi said the government would continue monitoring all corrective measures to ensure the pollution issue was addressed and did not affect local residents.
Also present were Sabah Veterinary Services Department director Dr Zul Bahar Abdul Rashid and his officers; Tamparuli Community Development Leader Jefrey Teo; affected villagers; and representatives of the consultant company responsible for addressing and resolving the problem there.
Jamawi (right), updating the people on the clean-up work.
