MIRI: The Sarawak government has approved an allocation ofmore than RM200 million to deepen the Batang Baram deltaaccess channel, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said.  

“I am aware that Mirians have been waiting for this (deepening of the channel project) for a long time…I held a discussion with the Miri Port Authority (MPA) following which it was decided that we are going to deepen the channel. The actual cost of the project is more than RM200 million.

“Once the project is completed it will benefit the people of Miri as it will increase the flow rate of water into the sea and reduce the frequency of flooding, especially in the remote areas of Baram,” he said at the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Miri Chinese New Year open house gathering, here last night (Jan 25).

Also present was his wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin earlier thanked Abang Johari for approving the deepening of the access channel.

“Once the project is completed, it will help boost industrial activities in Kuala Baram and the growth of small– and medium-sized industries (SMIs),” he said.

Lee added that the project will also cater for shipyards to build bigger ships, and to serve as a  port for repair works and maintenance of ships, while serving as a centre for fabrication and operation for offshore support vessels and bulk cargoes.

“It will also help to lower the cost of shipping, transportation and logistics. Furthermore, it may also help to reduce flooding in Marudi and in the upper Baram areas,” he added.