NO LONGER CLEAN AIR IN RANAU?

           

THE PROBLEM raised by the people on the black smoke emitting out from the few diesel generators belonging to the SESB in the Ranau town which has caused much concern and inconvenience to the Ranau people. The thick black smoke has even caused the nearby buildings to turn black.

The people in Ranau told the KKMP Hiew King Cheu that their health are being affected seriously by the black exhaust smoke. In Ranau, the air is used to be fresh and clean, but due to the smoke this is no longer found in Ranau.

Hiew brought the problem to Parliament and he asked the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water on why there is no action taken against the black smoke on all those SESB diesel power generators belonging to SESB in Ranau and in Sabah.

The reply said that the power supply in Ranau is still Off-Grid, that means the power is generated locally in the few power stations using diesel engines, and not linked to the state grid. 

For the purpose of upgrading the power supply in Ranau, the work on the 132kv power line connecting to Kota Belud is in progress under the allocation made by the Ministry of Rural Development.

The work will take three years to complete. When it is completed, the SESB diesel power generators will stop work and the power supply shall come from the state grid.

In regards to the black smoke emitting from the exhaust pipe of the diesel power generators is due to the overload of the engines at peak hours of demand. According to the operation procedure of SESB, whenever the diesel engine emitting excessively black smoke shall be stopped for repair.

The ministry will work with the enforcement to ensure that the SESB will follow the specification and procedure as required by the Environment Department (Jabatan Alam Sekitar, JAS).

MP Hiew commented that it is easily said than done, the JAS should take stern action against immediately irrespective whether this is under the government or not. The 132kv power line from Kota Belud will take another 3 years to connect up, is it true that the Ranau people will have to endure another 3 years of pollution from the black smoke?

The SESB must ensure that their engines in the state are serviced regularly and no excessive black smoke is emitting from them.