Ipoh City gets RM22mil additional allocation for projects to benefit the people

IPOH: The Ipoh City Council has received more allocations from the Local Government Development Ministry with about RM22mil approved for various projects that will benefit the people.

Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming said the allocations are for flash flood mitigation works, lift replacement and maintenance works at low-cost and medium-cost flats and a parking complex at Old Town.

Nga said the flash flood mitigation works in Sungai Senam and Fair Park would cost about RM1.5mil.

"The area is a black spot due to the narrow culvert under the bridge opposite the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital. Another area is near the police station at Sungai Senam," he said in a press conference after visiting the related locations here on Saturday (July 1).

"The project will involve replacing the culvert, repairing damages to the bridge and other related works to ensure the area and its surrounding do not have to face flash floods anymore," he said.

Nga said the culvert replacement project will not impact the traffic along the respective roads as the works would be conducted via the tunnelling method.

"It will take about four months to complete it and we expect the project to be done by Christmas this year," he said, adding that the project would take about four months.

About two weeks ago, Nga had reportedly announced the approval of about RM3.46mil to the city council to upgrade and maintain facilities in the city.

On the parking complex project, Nga said it has approved about RM13.4mil for it.

He said the complex would have a colonial design, with commercial units on the ground floor and a space for a rooftop restaurant or bar to attract tourists.

"When completed, the Old Town area will have an additional 376 parking bays. I believe this is a long-awaited good news for local traders and tourists," he said, adding that work for the project is also expected to begin this year and would take two years to complete.

Nga said the other allocations from the ministry included RM930,000 to replace the lifts at Kinta Heights.

"The new lifts are being assembled in Shanghai and are expected to arrive in Malaysia on Aug 28.

"The city council will work to install the lifts as soon as possible, with work expected to be completed in December," he said, adding that the last time the lifts were serviced was about 23 years ago.

He said the ministry had been given a RM50mil special allocation this year to replace lifts at low-cost and middle-cost flats that are dilapidated.

"If the ministry can get the special allocation annually, we aim to replace 500 lifts in five years.

"This would work out to 100 lifts in each year," he said, adding that about RM4.25mil was also allocated to the Perak Housing and Properties Board for various maintenance works at its assets.