Four flood mitigation projects approved

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Junz (centre) in a group photo with Department of Irrigation and Drainage staff at the Chinese New Year celebration.

KOTA KINABALU: Four projects, including two upcoming flood mitigation measures in Giling area, Tuaran and Dah Yeh Villa, have been approved with a total allocation of RM89 million under Rolling Plan 4 (RP4) of the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).

Apart from that, a study for Membakut area and detail design for Kota Marudu are also included.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Datuk Junz Wong said both the Tuaran and Dah Yeh Villa flood mitigation projects have gone through the planning and design stages and are expected to commence this year.

With the federal funding approved, he said the tender process would be carried out so that the flood mitigation projects could be implemented as soon as possible.

He added that the flood mitigation project for Dah Yeh Villa, which cost about RM48 million, would be implemented at the intersection near the Basel Church.
Junz said the ministry is also in the process of proposing flood mitigation project of Moyog Package 4, Lido Phase 2, Tawau Phase 2 and Kota Marudu flood mitigation plan.

On that note, he said the Federal Government should bear equal responsibility as the State Government to realize the flood mitigation plans.

He said the State Government relied on federal funding to build flood mitigation infrastructure in Sabah.

“There are many locations which are in urgent need of infrastructure to resolve flooding issues, such as Kota Marudu, where no attempt has been done to solve the flood-prone area.

“I hope that the Federal Government will, if possible, approve our request for flood mitigation plan and allocation this year or the following year,” he said when gracing the Chinese New Year celebration hosted by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sabah here yesterday.

Junz said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal had announced a feasibility study for Membakut and Kimanis flood mitigation plan with funding from the Federal Government, and he hoped that this would solve the flooding woes in the areas.
He lamented that the public had perceived the State Government as not executing its job in resolving the flooding issues.

“But we need funding from the Federal Government.

“We cannot do much if the Federal Government does not provide us with allocation.

“So I believe the Federal Government bears equal responsibility as the State Government in resolving the flood problem in Sabah.”

Junz hoped that the Federal Government would approve more allocations for flood mitigation measures in the state, as well as urging members of parliaments from Sabah to convey the message to the federal leaders.

Also present was DID Sabah director Jeffrey Ng Vun Ping.