Ripin (seated third left) and Ahmad Lai (second left) join other guests in a traditional ceremony at the start of Mardi Gras Lambir.
MIRI: An allocation of RM1.5 million has been approved by the government to resolve the problem of flash floods that have been affecting residents of Taman Tunku here.
Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat disclosed this yesterday, saying that he had been highlighting the plight of theTaman Tunku folk, who have incurred losses up to thousands of ringgit to flash floods in recent years.
“The government has approved a RM1.5 million allocation for a drainage improvement project in Taman Tunku.
“We understand how badly the people there are being affected by this flash food problem; the problem has also caused damage on some of their properties,” he said, adding that the project would be implemented through Miri City Council (MCC).
The latest case of flash flood in Taman Tunku was just last week, where several roads were inundated and some cars parked by the roadside almost.
It is said to be the worst flash flood in Taman Tunku in many years.
Ripin disclosed this in his address at ‘Mardi Gras Lambir’ in Kampung Tunku Abdul Rahman Lambir yesterday.
Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai, who represented Assistant Minister of Local Government, Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, officiated at the opening ceremony.
Apart from the drainage project for Taman Tunku, Ripin said that an allocation of RM1.2 million was also approved for the upgrading works on roads in Kampung Lusut.
“However, this will take a while as there are some road alignment issues with the Land and Survey (Department). This was a squatters’ area before it was turned into a resettlement by our late Tok Nan (state’s fifth chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem); so there are some alignment issues with the road project,” he added.
Touching on Rural Transformation Projects (RTP) for Lambir and Taman Tunku areas, Ripin said allocations totalling RM2.6 million had been approved for numerous projects including a kindergarten for Rumah Jarek (RM300,000), Lambir multi-purpose hall (RM400,000), a futsal and football field for SK Lambir Village (RM120,000), Kampung Dalam B multi-purpose hall (RM300,000), Kampung Batu 8 multi-purpose hall (RM400,000), SMK Taman Tunku hall (RM400,000), SMK Riam hall (RM400,000), upgrading of SMK Riam classrooms (RM100,000) and SMK Temenggung Muip assembly hall (RM200,000).
“There is also a RM1.8 million road upgrading project to be implemented through the Malaysia Road Record Information System (Marris).
“This project includes roads at Kampung Tunku Abdul Rahman, Rumah Mawan, Rumah Banyong, Rumah Johnapi/Situri, Rumah Linggie, Rumah Linggie, Rumah Ramin, Kampung Jargus as well as the surrounding areas,” he said.
Later, Ripin announced a RM10,000 allocation for the organiser of Mardi Gras Lambir to cover the cost of the event.