Miri makes preparations to face any eventuality during rainy season

MIRI: Miri Division is making preparations to face any eventuality particularly floodings with the expected inclement weather towards the end of the year and the start of the new year.

One of the measures is conducting an integrated training and simulation of forward bases management tomorrow ( Friday) and Saturday at Rumah Philip Anyi Long Teran Kanan, Tinjar in Baram

Organised by the Welfare Department and its Miri office, the programme coordinator Lau Ngee Wei said some 200 people from the relevant government agencies as well as village chiefs and volunteers will attend the twoday event.

“It is the first time we are holding this integrated simulation and training in Baram District in line with the efforts taken in other divisions. Such simulation is to ensure a high level of preparedness in facing floods especially in getting local community to manage the forward bases before flooding occurs, during and postflooding period. This is important to ensure effective relief missions to help the flood victims,” said Lau when contacted here yesterday.

He said Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil is scheduled to officiate the function.

Lau who is also the assistant community development officer in the Disaster Management Unit of the department said three similar trainings and simulations were held at SK Bakam in 2015 by the Resident Office Miri and at Beach Republic in 2015 and in Marudi in 2016 both coordinated by the Welfare Department Miri.

He added talks and seminars were also held in the past to ensure those in the forward bases were well prepared. One such talk was held in Bakong last year.

“At the same time, we will also be transporting food supplies every October to the forward bases.

“In Miri alone, we have seven bases in Baram area – namely at Long Teran Kanan, Long Teran Kiri, Long Jegan, Kpg Melinau, Long Iman, Long Loyang and Long Bemang,” he said.