KABONG: Assemblyman Datuk Mohd Chee Kadir has called on the relevant agencies to expedite the Sungai Seblak Riverbank Corridor Erosion Project in Kampung Sungai Benang here.
He commented that the erosion had affected the agriculture routines of the residents at the area as they were worried of their safety.
“The safety issues are of greater concern as land erosion along the Seblak Riverbank Corridor impacts several residential areas,” he said adding that there was a well-known plan to restore the corridor.
“I am giving special attention to this issue as it is crucial, especially for the surrounding farmers, and also because it involves residential areas in several villages.
“However, I am disappointed that, to date, no actions have been taken to stabilise the corridor.
“Therefore, I urge that the project, with a total cost of RM21 million be expedited,” he mentioned during an on-site inspection with the relevant agencies.
For the record, the riverbank erosion issue in Kampung Sungai Benang was first reported on January 19, 2021.
On May 31, 2021 a restoration project amounted to RM15 million was approved. However, Chee informed that he was told the project was still in the design stage.
Following this, emergency preventive work was completed on August 15, 2022, costing RM299,700 and was carried out by Fatwa Pemborong Bumiputera Company.
After six technical meetings, in July this year, an additional RM6 million was approved for the project, bringing the total cost to RM21 million.
Following this inspection, road repair work to close creaks in the damaged road and improve the partially damaged road will be expedited.
Also present were Sarawak Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) assistant director of River Basin and Coastal Zone Development, Ir Noor Salmah Reduan; assistant director of Agricultural Engineering and Rural Infrastructure, DID Sarawak Ir Faizul Abdul Wahab; Kabong District Officer Tahir Sharee; Division Engineer from DID Betong Division Rollin Jenta Gem; and Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA) Kalaka Saribas Betong director Lucyana Dominic Ritay.
