PENAMPANG: Sabah government is hastening flood mitigation works to spare Kampung Sugud from another disaster.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan said the third phase of the project would cost the state government about RM9 million.
The project, which will involve 1.13 kilometre of the Sugud River, is expected to be completed in three years and takes a longer time because it will also involve land acquisition, relocating and compensating those who live by the river.
"It was supposed to start next year, but it has been brought forward in view of the situation (as monsoon season is expected until the year end). The project will increase the drainage capacity as well as the river to accommodate more water (runoff)," he said, during a visit this morning to Kampung Sugud here.
Following heavy rain on the eve of Malaysia Day, it turned the area into a "muddy village" and affected more than 3,000 people. Apart from property damage, villagers are experiencing water and electricity disruptions.
Based on today's visit, he said priority would be given to people's welfare, which would see relevant government departments and agencies coming forward to provide necessary assistance.
Kitingan, who is also the state Agriculture and Fisheries minister, said the damage at the village was unusual due to unexpectedly high volume of rainfall on that day.
"Nature is angry because we have not been taking care of the environment... It has to do with the climate change, which is (a) real (phenomenon).
"The world is getting warmer. With an increase of 2 degree Celsius, the ice at the south and north poles is melting and the world's water level is rising," he said, adding that the unusual sea volume had also affected the river flow.
On next week's Sabah Assembly Sitting, the Tambunan assemblyman was hoping for a fruitful discourse on various issues ranging from floods, Covid-19 and matters that would affect Sabah's future.