RM30 mln approved for works on floodaffected areas
KOTA SAMARAHAN: The government has approved a total of RM30 million for projects meant to address the flooding problems affecting Uni Garden, Samarindah and SK Jalan Muara Tuang here, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Breaking it down, the federal minister said the works would include constructing ponding areas at Samarindah and SK Jalan Muara Tuang, and enhancing the drainage at Uni Garden.
He said the recurring floods in these areas could be linked to the rapid development that this part of the Samarahan area had been undergoing over the years.
“When the development is rapid, then the existing drainage is not able to accommodate the large amount of water; that’s why we have to look at the whole system.
“The plan to fix the problems was drafted in 2017 by the DID (Department of Irrigation and Drainage). Unfortunately, there were several reasons, including the change of government, that had hampered the implementation of this project.
“Now, the plan has been approved and we will revive it, and hopefully, it would kick off in 2022. “Some works would commence in the first quarter, some are targeted by the third quarter (August). Still, we will speed it up,” he said when met after attending the briefing on ‘Drainage Improvement Works-Samarahan Division’ at the DID Kota Samarahan Office’s auditorium yesterday.
The session was conducted by DID Kuching and Samarahan divisional engineer Irwandee Reduan. Also attending were Kota Samarahan MP Rubiah Wang, Hamzah Brahim who is the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) election candidate for Stakan, and also representatives of the residents from the three areas.
Earlier, Fadillah joined the DID engineers for a ground inspection to identify the challenges involved in implementing the projects.
“Firstly, Samarindah is a relatively low-lying area.
“Secondly, the development in and around the area had been done in stages, but there’s no master plan in terms of facilitating better water flow, triggering flash floods whenever there’s heavy rain.
“We need to overcome this and amongst DID’s plans is acquiring a land of about 17 acres, to be used as a ponding area for overflowing water – it would be like a lake.
“Whenever it rains heavily, the excess rainwater would go to the ponding area and with the lake to be formed later on, we should be able to release some of the water into the river,” said the minister.
On Uni Garden, Fadillah said the drains there would be enlarged, while for SK Jalan Muara Tuang, a ponding area for it would also be constructed and the works should take place next year as well.
“We hope to commence construction next year. This is the hope of the people here.
“I will bring their voice to the state government and also to the federal government, towards finding the way how it (works) could be accelerated,” he said.
Back on the ponding area for Samarindah, Fadillah said the site had been identified.
“We have identified the land; now, it’s a matter of land acquisition, to be carried out by the Land and Survey Department,” he said.