DID to begin physical work on PNBCAP projects this month

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TO address flood issues in the Bayan Baru neighbourhood, the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) is implementing two projects under the Nature-Based Climate Adaptation Programme (PNBCAP).

 

PNBCAP is a pilot project in collaboration with UN (United Nations)-Habitat to help cities adapt to climate change and extreme weather by using nature-based solutions.

 

According to DID deputy director Ahmad Kamal Jamaludin, the PNBCAP programme is the first of its kind in Malaysia, with physical work set to begin this month.

 

“Penang received a USD10 million grant from the Adaptation Fund for the PNBCAP programme. The three parties involved in implementing PNBCAP are DID, Penang Island City Council (MBPP), and Think City,” said Ahmad Kamal during a press conference at the Persatuan Penduduk-Penduduk Bandar Bayan Baru today.

 

Meanwhile, DID senior deputy director assistant and project coordinator Haslinda Mohamad Hamran shared that two PNBCAP projects by DID include the Water Retention Pond at Lintang Nibong and the Blue Corridor initiative along Sungai Keluang.

 

Haslinda said that the Bayan Baru neighbourhood was selected for the PNBCAP implementation to help reduce the frequent flood risks in the area.

 

She outlined the four key goals of PNBCAP:

 

1. To reduce the urban heat island (UHI) effect by strategically planting trees and creating green spaces in the city.

 

2. To reduce and mitigate flood incidents by constructing a retention pond upstream.

 

3. To enhance social resilience and empower those affected by climate challenges, especially women and children.

 

4. To strengthen the capacity of public health institutions, develop a platform for managing climate adaptation knowledge, and conduct studies on roadside trees for climate-resilient solutions.

 

These two projects (Water Retention Pond at Lintang Nibong) and (the Blue Corridor initiative along Sungai Keluang) are expected to be completed in June 2027.

 

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(from left) Zairil explaining on the projects to be implemented by DID while Ahmad Kamal and Haslinda look on

 

State Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said that DID, MBPP, and Think City each have their respective scope and responsibilities in the PNBCAP implementation.

 

Zairil also mentioned that the green spaces developed through the project can be used as recreational parks for the community.

 

It is learned that the water retention pond will employ the Infiltration Swale method.

 

The representatives from the contractors for these two PNBCAP projects, Bolitec Sdn Bhd and Relau Mutiara Enterprise, received their appointment letters during the press conference.

Bolitec Sdn Bhd was represented by Nurul Iffah Binti Abdul Rahim while Relau Mutiara Enterprise was represented by Shamsol Bin Ariffin.

 

Also present was UN-Habitat PNBCAP project manager, Dr Kwan Soo Chen.

 

Below the two representatives of the contractors, Nurul Iffah and Shamsol receiving their companies’ respective appointment letter :-

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Story by Tanushalini Moroter

Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi