By Goh Pei Pei and Clement Erik Wong
KUCHING: Sarawak government has approved RM79 million for a retaining wall (river wall) project in Simunjan town to prevent further erosion of the riverbank.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the project would be divided into three phases, with the first phase expected to kick-start in the next six months.
He said the project, under the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA), is expected to resolve the long-standing issue of erosion in Simunjan town and its surrounding areas, thoroughly, once it is completed
“In the past, there were attempts to address the erosion problem with federal funds; however, they were done thoroughly while the funds were not really sufficient,” he said.
“Thus, I instructed the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to conduct a detailed study to solve the issue by building a river wall,” he said at the launch of the Esplanade Simunjan here today.
Apart from that, Abang Johari assured that the issue of treated water supply in Simunjan would also be resolved soon with the construction of new water pipes.
The new and bigger water pipes, he said, could speed up the distribution of water supply from Samarahan and Serian to Simunjan.
The Sarawak government, he said, has also allocated RM45 million to develop an 81-acre land for affordable homes in Simunjan, to assist the people to purchase and own their own first home.
“We already had (launched) the Housing Deposit Assistance Scheme (HDAS), which offers a maximum RM10,000 deposit for first time homebuyers for the low- and middle-income households.
“Thus, our Housing Development Corporation will be developing more affordable homes for the people, especially the B40 families,” he added.
Earlier, he also approved RM3 million to further upgrade facilities at the Esplanade Simunjan as requested by Simunjan assemblyman Awla Dris.
Abang Johari also announced that a new district office will be built in Simunjan, which will include government quarters for the civil services.
