The pump system (bordered by the concrete walls) is designed to draw out water from the drain on the left into Sungai Labu which is located on the other side of the pump.
A FLOOD mitigation project in Sungai Labu, Sepang, Selangor is delayed because of an electricity cable supply issue.
The Selangor government had approved several time extensions since the original completion date of Feb 4 last year, and is confident that the project will be completed by Dec 22 this year.
The state allocated RM17.75mil for the project that involved construction of a pump system to channel floodwaters from flood zones into Sungai Labu.
The project’s start date was Oct 18, 2018.
Selangor infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim said a few extensions had been given until Dec 23 last year because of the movement control order and a signing of a supplementary agreement.
After which, he said, another time extension was given to complete the project by Dec 22, 2022, because of electricity supply-related issues.
“Based on the new timeline, work is 2% ahead of schedule.
“The project is 90% complete,” he added.
In a media statement, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) explained that there was a global supply shortage of a special cable that was needed for the project.
The statement further clarified that TNB was working closely with the supplier and should the cable arrive earlier than scheduled, it would be installed immediately.
“The work to supply power to the flood mitigation project is still in progress, with its present status at 90% completion.
“It is on schedule to meet the extended completion deadline in December, which was set by the state government,” the statement read.
Sepang Municipal councillor R. Arumugam said there were also other problems causing the delay.
He said the Sepang Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) had visited the site on June 14 and found bad subsidence around the screw pump site, which had damaged the structure.
“As such, Sepang DID will have to add new scope of work that is not listed in the original contract and the process will take time.
“The structures have been completed for some time and left idle.
“Anyone visiting the site will be able to see holes in the ground, under the structure,” he said.
He added that villagers questioned if engineers had checked on soil condition before starting the project.
“Now, the pump site looks abandoned, unsafe and filled with undergrowth,” said Arumugam.
He said the flood mitigation project should be prioritised because floods could cause great damage.
“The weather these days is unpredictable and the monsoon season is nearing,” he said, urging all involved to complete this project as soon as possible.
During a visit to the site on June 29, StarMetro found two screw pumps next to Sungai Labu with broken and collapsed parts, covered with undergrowth and creepers as well as holes in the ground under the structure.
Labu Lanjut village community management council chairman Damarulan Hassim said residents wanted the authorities to expedite the project.
He said Labu Lanjut, which was located next to Sungai Labu, was prone to flooding during heavy rain.
“When the state approved the flood mitigation project, residents were very happy and looked forward to it as a solution to their perennial flood woes.
“So, they are disappointed that the completion has been delayed for over a year now,” he added.
Muhamad Jani says 568 houses in the villages and 2,385 houses in the residential area nearby will benefit from the project.
Labu Lanjut village community management council secretary Muhamad Jani Saring said 568 houses in the villages and 2,385 houses in the nearby residential neighbourhood would benefit from the project.
He said some 2,000 houses had been affected by the devastating floods on Dec 18 last year.
“Usually, floodwaters reach about 1.2m high in the low-lying areas, but on Dec 18, floodwaters reached 1.8m.
“Those living in the low-lying areas know about the flood risk and will always be wary every time it rains.
“Despite their readiness, many still suffer great damage to their properties.
“Flood-damaged items can seldom be salvaged,” he added.
Muhamad Jani said the villagers truly hope there would not be any need for more time extensions and that the pump would be operational by Dec 22.
