By Olivia Miwil - January 24, 2021 @ 2:39pm
RANAU: Up to 17 major roads and bridges in Sabah are badly damaged and in need of repair due to recent flooding in the state.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said in all, about 100 routes were made impassable due to flood-related damage.
With the state Public Works Department's (JKR) speedy actions, only 17 of these routes still need repairs.
"These (repair) works need urgent attention. We are hoping that the weather will be on our side, or the rain will dampen our efforts.
"The budget to fix these roads in the state is about RM150million," he said when inspecting a collapsed road in front of Kinabalu Park here.
Present was Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin.
As for damaged areas at Kinabalu Park, Bung said between RM35 million and RM40 million is required to fix them.
However, the work would require collaborative study between JKR, tourism authorities and geologists to look into several aspects, including the movement of the soil.
He added that proper planning would ensure that the route, which is important for the community and tourism industry, will remain sturdy after the area is rebuilt.
Meanwhile, Jafry said that he is hoping the JKR would give priority to the collapsed road at Kinabalu Park.
"It is a significant place and is a world-renowned site (where people come to climb Mount Kinabalu and for other activities).
"As for other tourist places, the damage is minimal as the flood water receded after a few days," he said.
On tourism development, Jafry assured that the industry would bounce back and become a major contributor to the state's economy after the Covid-19 crisis.
He also said that the Sabah government had approved a second phase of assistance for tourism players.
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