RM760 mln from federal for flood mitigation in Sabah – DCM

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KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Government had allocated RM760 million to date under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) for flood mitigation works in Sabah, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin.

Under the 10MP (2011 to 2015), Yahya said the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sabah had spent RM198 million on flood mitigation projects in the State.

Yahya, who is also the Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, said RM144 million of the RM198 million was funded by the State Government while RM 54million was allocated by the Federal Government.

“Under the 11MP, the Federal Government has allocated RM 760 million to date for flood mitigation works in Sabah.

“This is a huge allocation compared to the amount received under 10MP,” he said when officiating at the Raya celebration, excellent service award, Jasamu Dikenang cum restructuring of DID Sabah at Wisma Pertanian here yesterday.

Yahya said the Federal Government had allocated a sum of RM130 million last year to DID to implement four projects under the first rolling plan of the 11MP.

This year, he said the DID was allocated another RM66.3 million by the Federal Government to begin the planning and implementation of nine projects under the second rolling plan of the 11MP.

He added that the flood mitigation plan at Moyog River basin in Penampang had been allocated RM281 million under the 11MP for Packages 1 and 3.

“I had represented the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman in officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony on February 27. The project is expected to be completed in 2020.”

Yahya thanked the Federal Government for approving such a massive allocation to alleviate floods, especially in Penampang and Putatan districts.

“This is the largest allocation ever allocated by the Federal Government for a flood mitigation project in Sabah.

“Nonetheless, we still need more funds to carry out flood mitigation projects all over Sabah.”

That said, Yahya pointed out that structural flood prevention solutions might not be sustainable as it involved high costs.

As such, he urged DID to seek alternative measures which would be sustainable in the long run by identifying non-structural measures to resolve floods.

“I urge all DID staff to improve their competency and skills in ensuring the implementation of programmes and projects could be carried out effectively and efficiently.”

On another note, Yahya said the restructuring of DID, which involved an addition of a deputy director and upgraded its top management to a higher grade.

“The move is a form of recognition by the government to the increase the tasks and responsibilities entrusted to DID.

“I hope DID will execute all programmes in line with the Third Sabah Agricultural Policy and State Halatuju for the well-being of the people in the State.”

He said DID had developed policies and guidelines on water management activities, among others, including implementation of licensing mechanism for water extraction from rivers, lakes, underground that would ultimately bring in new revenue for the State through commercial activities.

Apart from water source management, he said DID also focused on drainage and irrigation infrastructure development particularly in Kota Belud, especially in Kg Tawadakan, Kota Bongan, Tamau, Jawi Jawi and nearby areas which amounted to 1,000 hectares.

Under the 10MP, Yahya said DID had spent RM37.6 million to develop drainage and irrigation infrastructure, including the construction of three pump houses capable of ensuring sufficient water supply for each level of paddy growth and to alleviate floods.

He said the efficient drainage and irrigation system as well as sufficient water source would guarantee higher, more table and consistent paddy production.

¡§The paddy yield in Kota Belud was 30,852 metric tonnes per annum between 2010 to 2013, but the production has soared to 46,548 metric tonnes in 2014 when the infrastructure under the 10MP was completed in 2013.¡¨

Also present at the event was DID Sabah director Haji Yahiya Awang Kahar.