KUCHING: An allocation of RM61.6 million had been approved by the state government this year for the 23 Local Authorities (LAs) to implement 476 small to medium-sized infrastructure projects such as the upgrading of street lightings, traffic light systems, footpaths, public toilets, libraries, jetties and recreational parks.
Of the total projects, 464 or 97.5% are at various stages of implementation with majority to be completed within this year.
“In addition, the state government, through the Rural Transformation Initiatives, had also approved 114 flood mitigation projects with a total ceiling of RM100 million,” revealed Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian in his winding up speech in the august House, yesterday.
He said the projects were to be implemented by local councils, Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and Public Works Department (JKR) and the projects were currently at various stages of planning and implementation.
According to Dr Sim, RM3.5 million was also approved for the implementation of various community development programmes.
He also disclosed that for this year, the federal government had approved a total fund amounting to RM265 million to his ministry for maintenance of roads, drains and road furniture under Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS).
To date, RM185 million had been received and distributed to the various local authorities based on their registered road mileage.
He added that the Ministry of Urban Well Being, Housing and Local Government (KPKT) had this year approved RM27.9 million for the local authorities in the state to implement 99 minor infrastructure development projects, all of which were expected to be completed within this year.
Besides that, RM2.91 million was approved under the Urban Poor Eradication Programme to repair 194 houses and further RM1.1 million approved to implement five projects under the Safe City Programme.
