PENAMPANG: Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick will bring the Penampang flood issue to the Federal Cabinet meeting tomorrow (Friday) in order to expedite the implementation of the flood mitigation project in the district.
Ewon, who is also Penampang Member of Parliament, said the implementation of the flood mitigation project which has been delayed for several years needs to be accelerated because it is an urgent necessity and much required by the people of Penampang.
“It is my responsibility to raise the Penampang flood issue to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is also the national disaster coordinating minister and Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad at the Cabinet meeting.
“I need the Cabinet’s attention and action to expedite the process of appointing a contractor or consultant to begin the project, which has been stalled for a long time,” he said Wednesday after inspecting flooded areas in Penampang. Ewon said the flood incidents in several states, including Terengganu and Kelantan, had previously been discussed in the Cabinet.
“Flood mitigation in Penampang is vital and urgent. That is why I returned to Penampang despite the fact that the Parliament is still in session, because it is my job to help address this matter,” he said.
He also asked the authorities to take quick measures to clean clogged drains and culverts in order to avert future flooding.
“If the drains and culverts are clogged, it doesn’t take long to be cleared. But if there is a need to speed up the implementation of the Flood Mitigation Project which involves an estimated cost of almost RM500 million, then I need to bring this matter to the Cabinet so that it can be expedited,” he said.
He also hoped the State Government would pay immediate attention to the need for small-scale infrastructure allocation, such as the upkeep of Penampang’s drains, culverts and suspension bridges.
“In order to expedite the maintenance work of the essential small-scale flood mitigation measures, I will consult with the District Office, Public Works Department and Drainage and Irrigation Department.
“In addition to allocations from both departments, I will use parliamentary and ministerial resources to help meet maintenance requirements, in particular regions that are frequently the cause of floods or stagnant water,” he said.
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