RM9 million allocated for Kinarut flood mitigation project

 By Olivia Miwil - February 8, 2021 @ 4:46pm

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (left) being briefed by DID Director Ir Jeffrey Ng and Assistant Director Charles Ng during the visit to Kinarut. - Photo courtesy of Sabah Chief Minister's office

PAPAR: Sabah has announced a RM9 million allocation to solve Kinarut's long-standing flood woes.

Its Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) would kick start the Kinarut river flood mitigation project in April.

"Under the project, the three-kilometre long Kinarut River would be widened and deepened, while culverts would be constructed and structures would be built to reinforce the riverbanks.

"The project is expected to complete within two years and we hope people in Kinarut will no longer have to face difficulties during the rainy season," he said in a statement, after a visit to the site today.

Hajiji, who is also State Finance Minister, was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister cum Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Special Task Minister Datuk Ariffin Arif, State Secretary Datuk Safar Untong, Assistant Works Minister, Datuk Limus Jury and Kawang Assemblyman Datuk Ghulam Haidar.

DID director Jeffrey Ng Vun Ping, who was also present, said that the prolonged period of heavy rain would cause flooding.

"(The situation) would cause the Kinarut river to break its banks due to it being narrow and too shallow. This results in shophouses, train stations, schools, temples, residential areas and settlements here to be inundated.

"Kinarut has been hit by floods more frequently and incurring bigger damages each time in the last 10 years," he said, adding that debris also causes obstruction to the river's flow.