By Jacob Achoi
SEBUYAU, July 9: A total of RM950 million has been allocated for massive development which is taking place in Samarahan division to address water woes and saltwater intrusion in the area.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said RM500 million has been allocated for wave breaker projects, while another RM450 million has been allocated for water projects.
The chief minister said the projects, where the funds for the wave breaker projects have been allocated to Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA), and funds for the water projects to the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), will be completed end of next year.
“Both (sic) projects are very critical in the area stretching from Samarahan until Sebuyau because of the water supply problem and saltwater intrusion, but with these two (sic) projects taking place, people in the area will enjoy 24-hour water supply and also be able to develop their land for crops like banana, pineapple and coconut,” he told a press conference here today.
He had earlier launched the Samarahan division water supply project Seruyuk in Sebuyau constituency.
Abang Johari added that the state government has also placed artificial reef balls from Sebuyau until Muara Tebas—an area rich with fish—given the goal of making Samarahan a food basket for the state.
Apart from the two projects, Abang Johari also said road upgrading from Samarahan until the coastal road will be carried out, to align with the laying of water pipes.
Earlier, he said the state government has allocated RM2.2 billion to the Ministry of Utilities over the past three years for the state water supply grid system to address water woes, until 2045.
Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Port Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi said three of the five wave breaker projects have been tendered out, while the remaining two will be tendered out by the end of this month.
He also pointed out that temporary measures to source water supply from Sadong Jaya is underway to address water problems in Ladong, Sebangan, Seruyuk and Sampat, amongst others.
He said the work would be completed end of next month.
Among those present were Minister of Utilities Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, and Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan. — DayakDaily
