The fully completed Lahad Datu Regional Sewage Treatment Plant project, built at a cost of RM29 million, has a 50,000 population equivalent (PE) capacity compared to the existing system of 12,500 PE capacity.

The Standard A project, which began construction in 2011 and completed in October last year, was officiated by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan here today.

Pairin, who is also State Infrastructure Development Minister, said the project built to accommodate the rapid development and growing population in Lahad Datu, would benefit 50,000 residents in the district.

"The oxidation pool built 30 years ago can no longer accommodate the amount of sewage handled and the treatment quality is only Standard B according to the Department of Environment specification.

"The new Lahad Datu sewage treatment plant is equipped with state-of-the-art mechanical and electrical equipment to optimise the sewage treatment process as well as the alignment of sewage pipes and a 14-metre deep pump station," he said.

He said developers or individuals planning to build houses or infrastructure near the sewage pipeline could make connections to the sewage pipes and need not construct septic tanks themselves.

Pairin arrived here for a working visit yesterday to inspect the Pan Borneo Highway project from Jalan Pintas Lahad Datu to Lahad Datu Port.

The 706km phase one of the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway project built with an allocation of RM12.86 billion is expected to be ready by December 31, 2021.