By Yussof J. Imbang
TONGOD: There are no logs in the Kapor Hill area proposed for the clinker and cement factory in Kampung Kayawoi here, said Borneo Cement (Sabah) Sdn Bhd (BCS) Chairman Datuk Masiung Banah.
“Although initially there were logs left in the low-lying areas, logging activities had been going on for the past few years before the factory was proposed.
“The claim that the company also engaged in logging while carrying out earthworks to build a path to the factory’s quarry site is not true,” he explained.
The Kuamut People’s Representative was met by the media while visiting the first phase of work at one of the BCS quarry site locations in Kampung Susui here yesterday.
He said that almost the entire line of camphor hills in the area licensed by the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is less covered with kayan trees.
Masiung said that the first phase of work that has now been licensed by the EIA is the construction of the quarry site, earthworks, and building a road to the location, which is dense with layers of limestone.
“We will not violate the governance required by the EIA. After all, every inch of our work is fully monitored by the Environment Department,” he said.
The proposal for the factory, which will cost RM1.2 billion as a result of a joint venture between the State Government, Sri Alam Setia Sdn Bhd, which established BCS, and Sinoma Industry Bhd, China’s largest cement manufacturing company.
An area of 500 acres of clinker was gazetted to the Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco) for the project, and another 200 acres were given to BCS for the quarry site, office factory, and workers’ kurtes.
Also present at the visit were BCS Managing Director, Micheal Kinsuan, Tongod District Officer, Yuesri Ismail Yusof, and Community Development Officer, Tokyo Hasim Omar.
