Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal requests that the construction of two new dam projects in Sabah be expedited to ensure sufficient water supply in the state as the population in Kota Kinabalu rises,

When speaking of the dam projects in Papar and Ulu Padas, Shafie said "the construction of these dams needs to be accelerated for the future... the population in the Kota Kinabalu area is growing and residents need adequate water.

"When the dams are completed, we will get more benefits such as the construction of roads and sufficient supply of electricity," he told reporters after opening the Jalan Nountun-Bukit Padang road here, on Tuesday.

He said long-term planning needed to be taken to address water woes in Sabah.

"When we save water, we can use it during the dry season and that is the use of dams for storing and supplying enough water," he said.

Commenting on the opening of the Jalan Nountun-Bukit Padang road, Mohd Shafie said the 2.7km road costing RM13.5 million was completed in December last year and would reduce traffic congestion and travelling time around Inanam and Bukit Padang.