KUCHING, Oct 25: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak has urged the Sarawak government and the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) in particular to prioritise the Tabuan Drainage Improvement Project through widening and dredging of existing waterways to solve years-long problem of floodings in Kampung Tabuan Dayak whenever there’s an incessant rain.
Its Women secretary Cherishe Ng said the drainage rehabilitation project should be off the ground as soon as possible in view of the forthcoming monsoon season that often comes with torrential rain endangering the safety of thousands of inhabitants who have their houses built along the river banks of Sungai Tabuan.
Ng said during her visit to Kampung Tabuan Dayak and Jalan Wan Alwi recently, the local villagers have expressed their grouses on the flooding problems which have been on for more than a decade.
“Villagers relate that the entire Kampung is immersed in water whenever a heavy downpour occurs and the underlying causes are clogged waterways that prevent the free flow of rainwater.
“And the condition is exacerbated by the fallen trunks and leaves of trees that grow along the river banks owing to the lack of cleaning and maintenance of the waterways.
“Floodings have become the nightmare of Kampung residents now and a long hour rains often means another sleepless night for the poor villagers,” she said in a statement today.
She further said the drainage upgrading project for the area is under the jurisdiction of the DID but she stressed that the whole thing seems to be still on paper with no signs of commencement.
“The Sarawak Government is under obligation to immediately embark on the project of rehabilitating the Tabuan Waterway to resolve the unending flooding problems in Kampung Tabuan Dayak once and for all,” she added. — DayakDaily
