KUCHING: The Sarawak Kanan River navigational study, which spans from the Kuching Waterfront to Sinawan, is anticipated to be finished in June.
According to Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh, the investigation, which was carried out by local consultant AJA Prima Sdn. Bhd, started about two weeks ago.
Miro anticipated that the state would subsequently use this study as a good benchmark or as a basis for allocating additional cash for research and studies on Sarawak’s river navigations, economic value, and community values.
“According to what I understand, there has never been any navigational research conducted along any other rivers in Sarawak, therefore the ongoing study is a good place to start for all of us in Sarawak.
“And with the support of the Sarawak Premier, everyone might be able to see the benefits of the rivers, particularly the economic, cultural, and community benefits that exist.
“We would like to emphasise these further. In time, people will realise how important it is to protect and sustain rivers,” he remarked after presiding over the workshop on hazard identification and impact reviews that was held today at the Grand Margherita Hotel.
Miro expressed his gratitude to the state government for providing financing for the navigational study, which will eventually help Siniawan’s tourism promotion.
He did, however, make it clear that the RM300,000 financing was only for the study’s execution and that the state government will set aside a different amount of funding to clean the rivers in response to the study’s recommendations.
He asserted that he had long wished for the projected riverine transportation system to be implemented along the Sarawak River’s stretch to Siniawan.
“We want to transform the river into something that benefits everyone. Not just for tourists, because there are several economic benefits that we must unearth and convey to the public,” he explained.
The goal of yesterday’s workshop, according to Capt. Bernard Idit, director of AJA Prima Sdn. Bhd, was to bring together all relevant state and federal agencies so that they could discuss the best course of action for making the Sarawak River, particularly from the Waterfront to Siniawan, a place that is safe for navigation.
“There has previously been no study conducted by another consultant. We are the first Sarawak consultant to do so to ensure that not only navigation but also other criteria are met.
“When we perform navigation safety, we chart everything, including when vessels can come in from Waterfront to Siniawan and when other mariners can utilise the particular river to travel safely even in 24 hours, from sunset to sunrise, so that they can move from point A to point B safely.
He added that there will be several additional sessions with other stakeholders.
