KOTA KINABALU – A flood mitigation project is being expedited to ensure the over 3,000 villagers at Kg Sugud do not suffer another disaster.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan said the third phase of the project costing the state government RM9 million involves the widening of the Sugud River by 1.13km, which was supposed to begin next year.
“We had to start immediately as the flood situation in Sugud is very bad. The contractor has been awarded, and we expect the third phase of the project to be completed in three years,” he told reporters during his visit to Kg Tampasak, Sugud in Penampang today.
Sugud is one of the areas worst hit by floods in the West Coast of Sabah this month.
Kitingan said that obstacles faced by the project include the building of houses nearby the river which must be relocated.
“To move them, we need to provide compensation, and this has been delaying the progress of the project,” he said, adding that the number of villagers who must be relocated is still being surveyed.
Kitingan also said that the flood mitigation project is only a temporary measure as people cannot escape from the impact of global warming.
“Climate change is real, and the world is getting warmer. Sea and river water levels are rising. We have not been taking care of the environment and this is the impact of climate change,” Kitingan said, adding that he hopes for a fruitful discussion on Sabah’s flooding issues at the State Legislative Assembly next week. – The Vibes, September 19, 2021
