KOTA KINABALU: Flood-prone villages in Sugud in Penampang district may see some respite with the long-awaited flood mitigation project set to begin.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said that preliminary project requirements for the Sugud River flood mitigation projects have been met and the project would soon start.
Kitingan, who is state Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, said that the project would involve dredging and widening the narrow Sugud River.
"It is expected to help reduce flooding in nearby villages," he said Tuesday as the latest flood on Sept 14 caused property damage.
Villagers in the area were affected several times this year alone following heavy rains.
Kitingan said the state government had to gazette the river and also obtain nearby lands before the project could begin.
“While waiting for it to be gazetted, efforts were made to obtain written consent from the landowners involved.
“Now that the consents have been obtained, the project can begin,” he said in explaining the delay for the project under the third phase of the overall Moyog River integrated river basin development project.
Aside from land reclamation, he said they also needed permission for the relocation of utilities under the Sabah Water Department, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd and Telekom Malaysia.
He said coordination meetings had been held between the ministry and the agencies and companies involved to ensure that work on-site could begin immediately.
“Contractors have been directed to start work and the necessary machinery and equipment have been delivered to the site," he said.
“However, deepening the Sugud River is not a comprehensive solution to the flood problem in the area.
“This is because the river’s outlet, the Moyog River, also requires dredging and widening to accommodate flood water from the Sugud catchment area during heavy rains.
“Nevertheless, the Sugud River project will accelerate the flow of flood water and reduce its depth in the school area and surrounding villages,” he said.
Kitingan said the flood problem in the Sugud area will not be resolved until phase four of the Moyog River integrated river basin development project is completed.
“Funding for the project has been approved through off-budget, and work will begin early next year,” he added.
