‘Federal govt to release flood mitigation fund next year’
KUCHING: The RM150 million federal allocation for the flood mitigation project here will be released next year.
This was announced by Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii who said the assurance came from Minister of Water, Land and Natural Resources Dr Xavier Jayakumar in response to his question on the fund in Parliament on Tuesday.
“The appointments including those of architects, engineers and surveyors will be done in 2019 and the construction will commence in 2020,” Dr Yii told a press conference at DAP headquarters, here yesterday, adding that the implementation of the project would be cost effective.
He said the project will include the upgrading of drainage system at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), the government quarters in Kuching, Batu Lintang, SK Muara Tuang Samarahan, and Jalan Kuching Samarahan Expressway on top of flood mitigation plans at Sungai Gersik and Sungai Sinjan and the construction of a riverwall from Sg Bedil to Kpg Lintang.
The affected areas during the Nov 22 flash flood were Sarawak General Hospital, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, Padang Merdeka, Lintang Park Utara,
The apointments including those of architects, engineers and surveyors will be done in 2019 and the construction will commence in 2020. Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii
Lorong Lintang Park Selatan I, Jalan Ellis, Jalan Padungan and Tabuan Dayak.
Dr Yii said the ministry explained that the Nov 22 flash fllood was due to the ineffectiveness and blocked drainage system caused by rubbish, mud and other sediments especially from nearby construction sites.
He hoped that the local councils like Kuching City South Council ( MBKS) and Kuching North City Hall ( DBKU), which have taken over the drainage system from the Department of Drainage and Irrigation, to properly maintain, repair and clean the drains based on the agreed schedule.
He also hoped that the ministry could work together with the two local councils to address the problem of flooding in the city.
“We do not want any more inconvenience, damaged properties, or even loss of lives due to floods which can be mitigated,” he pointed out.