JERTIH – Work on the construction of a breakwater at the Sg Besut river mouth, which has been delayed for more than two years, will be resumed by a rescue contractor starting next month, said Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
The project was supposed to be completed in December 2019 but was delayed due to problems with the contractor and infrastructure, said the natural resources, environment, and climate change minister.
“(My ministry) through the Irrigation and Drainage Department appointed a rescue contractor through an open tender on November 17 last year, with the new project costing RM250 million and expected to be fully completed by December 2025.
“The scope of the new project is to complete the remaining work covering the construction of the breakwater in the northern part measuring 1.3km while in the southern part it is 1.85-km long,” he told reporters after a working visit to the project site near here today.
Nik Nazmi further said that the project originally started in 2016 but the initial contractor was terminated in December 2020 as they could not continue the work.
According to Nik Nazmi, when the project is completed, it will solve the problem of sand deposits in the Sg Besut estuary which causes it to become shallow. It would also provide protection from waves to the jetty area and boats, besides reducing erosion at the northern part of the beach there.
“All this time, fishermen and owners of tourist and private boats often face the problem of being exposed to big waves, especially during the monsoon season.
“After this, fishermen will be free to carry out fishing activities with safer navigation routes,” which would encourage local economic and social activities, he said.
He said the Sg Besut estuary is the main navigation route for more than 400 fishing and tourist boats to dock at several jetties in the area, including the one run by the Fisheries Development Authority.
The existing breakwater built in 1998 is less effective in dealing with sand deposition, subsequently affecting the flow of river water to the sea. – Bernama, June 18, 2023
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