Hanging bridge to be rebuilt at another site
PENAMPANG: The state government is looking for a new site to relocate the Kampung Tanaki-Kambau hanging bridge, said Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony.
“We need to find a new location for the bridge as the other bank has been washed away but will not be too far from the original location. This new bridge will cost under RM500,000,” he told reporters after inspecting the damaged hanging bridge at Kampung Kambau here with Moyog assemblywoman Jenifer Lasimbang and Penampang District Officer Luvita Koisun, yesterday.
Peter said the bridge was still needed as it was being used daily by schoolchildren from Kampung Tanaki to cross the river to go to school at SK St Joseph.
The construction project is a priority and he has asked the Penampang District Officer Luvita Koisun and relevant authorities to come up with a detailed report as well as to prepare the relevant documents by Monday.
He added that there would be an immediate emergency fund to assist the flood victims and to carry out repairs.
“We will also prepare a working paper to be submitted to the Chief Minister’s office to request for funds,” he said, adding that the Infrastructure Ministry and the Food and Agriculture Ministry had discussed the issue of flood mitigation and drainage in Penampang.
A presentation on the flood mitigation proposal would be made to the elected representatives and relevant quarters in Penampang, he said.
Peter however stressed that for now, there is an immediate need to clear the river so that the water outflow to the sea will be unhindered.
“The vegetation on the river banks and debris in the river are causing some interruptions to the river flow. The situation is made worse when it is high tide and the water cannot flow out quickly,” he said.
Peter added that the state Public Works Department had been instructed to assess the damage, especially the roads in villages of flood-stricken areas so that repairs could be carried out.