THE Penang government has urged the state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to speed up the completion of high impact flood mitigation projects in the state.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said they included two ongoing mitigation projects located at Parit 4 and Parit 5 in Juru, Bukit Mertajam.
“These two projects are aimed at mitigating flooding problems in the Taman Sri Rambai and Juru areas.
“These are the older residential schemes located in low-lying areas.
“Both of these high impact projects were launched in 2017 and 2018 when I was a state executive councillor for flood mitigation portfolio.
“Thus, I hope these projects can be completed within the stipulated time given which is by the end of this year to mitigate the perennial flooding during heavy rains at the housing areas,” Chow told Buletin Mutiara during his visit to the two project sites in Bukit Mertajam today.
He was accompanied by state Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari and Padang Lalang assemblyman Chong Eng, who is also the state executive councillor for Women & Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness & Non-Islamic Religious Affairs.
Also present were Batu Kawan MP Kasthuriraani Patto, Bukit Tengah assemblyman Gooi Hsiao Leung, Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud and state DID deputy director Ooi Soon Lee.
Ooi said currently, Parit 4 flood mitigation project has reached 75 percent completion while Parit 5 project is at 84 percent.
“Thus, we are confident of ensuring that both projects are completed within the schedule,” he said.
Started since March 2018, the RM17 million Parit 4 flood mitigation project includes the building of new pump houses, trash boom (rubbish trap) and upgrading drains and rivers.
For Parit 5 project which cost RM13.5 million, the mitigation works include building a new pump house as an addition to the existing pump house, building an access bridge, a waterway bridge and upgrading drains and rivers.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix and Video by Alvie Cheng