Nga: Govt allocated RM20mil for council’s to repair drains ahead of monsoon

SUNGAI SIPUT: A total of RM20mil has been allocated to local authorities to ensure drains in cities are maintained properly to prevent flash floods ahead of the monsoon season, says Nga Kor Ming.

The Local Government Development Minister said he has urged all 155 local authorities nationwide to look into the matter since last month.

“The maintenance works are ongoing, and I am waiting for the report.

“I have also urged all the council presidents and district officers to monitor the works personally to ensure everything is in order before the start of the monsoon season,” he said after officiating the upgraded Sungai Buloh wet market here today. (Oct 30)

Nga also urged all the top leadership including the state secretaries, the ministry secretary-general, district officers to the council presidents to go to the ground weekly to check whether the contractors are carrying out work accordingly, especially with the rainy season now.

“This is important, as we need to listen to the people’s grouses.

“I have instructed the top leadership to monitor all the progress, to make sure the contractors are carrying proper maintenance works periodically according to schedule,” he added.

Nga also said the ministry had also allocated RM1.65mil for the maintenance of seven retention ponds in Sungai Siput including in Taman Muhibah Jaya, Kampung Muhibah, Rimba Panjang, Taman Lintang Makmur, and Kampung Salak Baru.

He also said overall the ministry has allocated RM11.13mil to carry out a total of 86 projects through its Sentuhan Kasih programme for Sungai Siput.

On the deplorable condition of a public swimming pool in Kuala Kangsar, Nga said he would discuss the matter with the local council president.

He said the Olympic size pool has not been for the past four years now, as the cost for repairs according to the council president is estimated to be at RM1.5mil.

“There are three options, one to apply for allocation from the federal government, the other option to get funds from the state government and the last one to have a public-private partnership deal.

“I am aware that the cost to repair the pool’s broken flooring and the needed equipment is high,” he said.

On another matter, Nga said while the announcement had been made on the RM1mil allocated to the Ipoh City Council to upgrade the Ipoh Central Market, he was also aware that many shoplots at the market are being used for storage purposes.

He said the mayor has promised to look into the matter.

“Only those who are interested in trading there will be issued with licenses.

“We want to ensure that the market once again becomes an attraction, and thus the cooperation of all is required,” he added.