KOTA BARU: Phase Two of the Integrated River Basin Development Project (PLSB) in Sungai Golok, aimed at tackling flood problem in several areas in Kelantan, will begin soon.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said so far, the government has approved RM879 milllion for the project.
"At the moment, we are in the midst of appointing the contractors. These contractors are responsible in carrying out the project to prevent floods during the monsoon season.
"During the recent visit by the Environment and Water Ministry, it was understood that the first phase of the project was 81.26 per cent complete.
"The completed project covers Pengkalan Kubor to the Lanchang river in Pasir Mas," he said.
Mustapa, who is Jeli Member of Parliament, told this to reporters today after visiting the Kelantan State Development Department at the common-use building in Tunjang here which houses the federal departments.
The minister added that he was pleased that the PLSB project was 35 per cent faster then its original scheduled completion date.
"Before this, we estimated that the project could complete in April, 2024, but seeing the progress, it might be completed next year," he said.
On the project's Phase Three, Mustapa said it is still being studied by the ministry.
"In principle, the government has already agreed for Phase Three of PLSB as it will address flood issues in certain areas," he said.
On his visit to the project development site of the federal departments, Mustapa said it had recorded a construction status of four per cent earlier from that scheduled.
"This building project costing RM576 million started in June 2020 and is expected to be completed by July 2024 with four eight-storey office blocks.
"There will also be an auditorium, a multi-purpose hall, food court, nursery and kindergarten, security block and multi-storey parking, with the complex replacing Wisma Persekutuan in Jalan Bayam, here," he added.