KUCHING: The Federal Government must speed up implementation of the RM150 million remedial project at the Sarawak River Barrage, Sarawak Minister for Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said, urging that the long-delayed works proceed without further hold-up.

Dato Sri Lee made the call during a working visit to the barrage yesterday, where he was briefed by the Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) on the status of proposed remedial works to address riverbed scouring at the facility, along with several other ongoing and proposed projects there.

"The proposed remedial works have been pending for quite some time. The Federal Government has already announced and committed RM150 million for this project, and we hope the relevant Federal agencies can expedite its implementation so that the works can proceed without further delay," said Dato Sri Lee on Thursday.

Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the RM150 million Federal allocation for the scouring remedial works on 13 March this year.

It was subsequently agreed that the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) would take over as the implementing agency, with the allocation channelled through DID Malaysia.

DID Sarawak has since submitted the latest remedial works proposal to DID Malaysia for consideration and approval.

"This is an important project for the continued safe and reliable operation of the Sungai Sarawak Barrage. We hope the necessary process can be expedited and the project implemented as soon as possible," he added.

Dato Sri Lee stressed that the barrage is critical infrastructure for Kuching and its surrounding areas, particularly for flood mitigation and water management, and that its continued safe and reliable operation must remain a priority.

The Sarawak River Barrage began operations on 1 December 1997 under the Sungai Sarawak Regulation Scheme (SSRS), a major flood mitigation and water management initiative for Kuching and its surrounding areas.

It comprises five radial gates, a navigation shiplock and a four-lane bridge. -UKASnews