MIRI: The perennial flash flood problem here will be a thing of the past once the three major drainage projects are completed. The three projects have been approved and are being tendered out. Assistant Minister for Tourism Datuk Lee Kim Shin told a press conference yesterday the two projects involved building a concrete drain at Jalan Maigold in Desa Senadin at a cost of RM350,000 and another one at Riam Road at a cost of RM400,000.
The third project would involve the clearing of an earth drain and the installation of a culvert in Tudan Desaras at a cost of RM400,000. “The project at Riam Road will benefit the surrounding areas including the army camp, Miri Airport, Eco Park and Interhill residential areas,” Lee said. The press conference was held after a meeting between Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), Miri City Council (MCC) and Public Work Department (JKR) which was chaired by Lee.
According to Lee, the projects were part of efforts to improve the drainage system in Miri and to prevent flood, especially flash flood during heavy downpour. Lee also called on the three entities to highlight any drainage problems or make proposals to improve the drainage system in areas in and around the city. “It will be easier for them to work closely together now as both DID and JKR and MCC are under the Ministry of Local Government.
“I have asked them to come up with proposals on how to further improve the master drainage system in our city. This proposal can be carried out as next year’s project. “This year, we are carrying out projects that were proposed last year” he said, adding that the government was always working hard to improve the city by identifying projects very much needed by the people. Miri City Council senior executive engineer Che Abu Bakar Che Said and DID divisional engineer Lau Wee were also present at the meeting.