RM33mil project to address flood woes in Kg Jeriah, Sibu

FOR years, residents of Lorong 2B and Jeriah 8, Kampung Jeriah in Sibu, Sarawak, have suffered from flooding whenever it rains heavily.

But relief is finally at hand.

The authorities have approved a RM33mil drainage improvement project which residents hope will end frequent flash flooding in the area.

Sarawak Education, Innovation and Talent Development Deputy Minister (I) Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee said the project involved diverting rainwater away from Kampung Jeriah.

“The state-funded project has already been approved under the mid-term review of 12th Malaysia Plan.

“Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) Sibu divisional engineer Rudi Abang Zamhari reported that RM2mil has been approved this year for the project’s planning and design stage.

“After this, we will apply for approval of the RM31mil balance to implement the project,” he said in a statement.

Dr Annuar, who is Nangka assemblyman, earlier held a dialogue session with affected Kampung Jeriah residents.

For Lorong 2B, he said three short-term mitigation measures would be taken, namely raising the road level, building a retaining wall and constructing a new drain to connect the area to the main drainage system.

“For the new drain, it can only be implemented if the landowner gives consent for the drain to pass through his land,” he elaborated.

As for residents of three houses in Jeriah 8, Dr Annuar proposed that the extended families living on the ground floor be given land to build houses in other locations.

He dismissed claims that the government had done nothing to solve the issue.

“We previously spent RM20mil to improve the drainage system in Kampung Jeriah but were not able to address the flood issue entirely,” he said.

Dr Annuar said flood mitigation measures could not be done overnight.

“I am aware of their suffering. For this reason, I hope they will agree to these short- and long-term measures we are proposing,” he said.