The current progress status of the project to upgrade 636 sewage treatment plants (STP) nationwide is at 98.5 per cent, with 609 plants fully completed and 27 more expected to be completed in October. The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) in a statement today said the latest status is the result of the immediate steps taken by the commission together with Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd (IWK) to deal with the issue of delays and speed up work progress to prevent any impact of delays from continuing. "SPAN will continue to closely monitor the completion of the remaining projects to ensure that the project is completed according to schedule which will greatly benefit users of sewerage services as well as guarantee the sustainability of water resources and the environment," according to the statement. The media today reported that the Auditor General's Report (LKAN) 2024 Series 2 found that 129 of the 636 STP Phase 1 upgrading projects planned by SPAN and implemented by IWK, were delayed, with a cost o f RM68.16 million. The report said the delay was due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) order by the government, the postponement of pipe installation work and the delay in the supply of construction materials, resulting in the objective of building water infrastructure not being achieved. SPAN told the commission that it takes serious attention of LKAN including all the remarks given regarding water services. The commission said due to the MCO factor, the situation has created constraints in bringing in mechanical and electrical equipment that needs to be imported from abroad; the increase in the cost of building materials and equipment as well as the lack of manpower and construction labour to carry out the work in the post-pandemic period. According to SPAN, work on upgrading 636 sewage treatment plants across the country to comply with the Environmental Quality (Effluent) Regulations 2009 has started since Nov 13, 2020, at a cost of RM142.8 million. "During audits and site visits around 2022 until e arly 2023, delays were recorded on 129 project locations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of the MCO," according to SPAN. Source: BERNAMA News Agency