‘Illegal structures hampering flood mitigation project’

MIRI: The illegal structures along the drains at certain locations in Taman Tunku are posing a challenge to Miri City Council (MCC) in its ongoing flood mitigation works for the area.

Miri mayor Adam Yii, however, said the flood mitigation project to address the frequent flash floods at Taman Tunku was still progressing.

“The current construction works for Taman Tunku flood mitigation project under MCC is still ongoing. But, we are facing some alignment drainage issue following the illegal structures and extensions found along the drainage alignment area at certain locations in the area,” he stated to the media when met during MCC’s ‘Meet the People’ event at Krokop Lorong 5 Market yesterday.

The illegal structures and extensions, he pointed out, had made it difficult for the council to carry out works to upgrade the drainage system in the area, particularly in building storm drains. As such, he added, the council would work closely with Land and Survey Department to ask the owners to remove or dismantle the illegal structures and building extensions. He said most of the illegal structures were related to light industry such as workshop.

Commenting on the RM10 million granted by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to solve the flash flood issue in Taman Tunku as well Tukau and Sungai Rait by improving the drainage system, he said the project was under mid-term review.

“There was a RM10 million budget announced by the chief minister and such project would be subjected for implementation starting next year.”