ALOR STAR: The RM3 million project to upgrade the ageing drainage system in the Kota Setar district, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday, will begin soon.
State Secretary Datuk Seri Norizan Khazali said construction of the project would commence immediately after securing funding from the federal government.
"Besides unusual rainfall, we have identified the other factor contributing to the massive flood in Kota Setar district is the ageing drainage system.
"Most of our drainage systems in the capital city are old, and we need to upgrade them with concrete drains.
"Alhamdullillah, we are grateful to the prime minister for approving RM10 million allocation for Kedah and another RM3 million for Kota Setar alone.
"We will begin the project immediately after receiving the funding from the federal government," he told reporters after accompanying the Sultan of Kedah, Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah visiting flood evacuees at the temporary flood relief centre in Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium here today.
Present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and state Welfare, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Datuk Halimaton Shaadiah Saad.
On Saturday, Anwar approved RM13 million allocation for flood repairs and compensation in the state after visiting flood victims here.
Anwar said the funds will be managed by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) and the State Secretary.
Meanwhile, Norizan said the state government is hoping that the flood in Kota Setar and neighbouring districts will be resolved with the completion of ongoing flood mitigation projects.
"We hope that with the completion of the flood mitigation projects for Sungai Kedah, Kubang Pasu and Pendang will finally resolve the flooding issue.
"We wish to replicate the success of the flood mitigation project in Kota Kuala Muda which has resolved plaguing flood issues in the coastal area," he said.