DALAT: A pilot project aimed at transforming water hyacinths or ‘terapok’ into fertilisers is set to commence this year in Batang Oya here.
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said the project is part of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative from Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS).
“We must find a more effective way to address this issue. Therefore, a comprehensive study will be conducted to find long-term solutions for this ‘water hyacinths’ that are plaguing the rivers in Sarawak, not just in Batang Oya.
“This is a pressing issue, as they float along the surface of the river, it creates a hideout for ferocious reptiles, and this indirectly poses a safety risk to the residents,” he said in a statement recently.
Lee added that this issue has long received the attention of the state government, and was once mentioned by Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, who is also the assemblywoman of the constituency.
To this end, he revealed that an allocation of RM500,000 has been approved for the cleaning of debris in the Batang Oya banks this year. This effort will involve four zones, covering a distance of 16.63 kilometres.
Meanwhile, in 2022, the cleaning project covered 23.5 kilometres over three months, costing RM492,020, and involved removing 7,050 tons of water hyacinths.
Similarly, in 2021, a three-month cleaning project along a 15.45-kilometre stretch incurred a cost of RM249,650, with 3,854 tons of water hyacinths cleared.
Additionally, in 2020, cleaning work was undertaken for three months along a 3.45-kilometre section, totalling RM96,000 in expenses.
Also present during the visit were Ministry of Transport Sarawak Head of Maritime and Riverine division Teo Swee Ann; Mukah Resident Kueh Lei Poh; Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) acting controller Lt (Rtd) Ding Tiew Wong; and Limbang Division Department of Irrigation and Drainage engineer Anisah Ahmad.
