Lee (centre) with Kapitan Ngieng How Ding, on his right, and a DID representative discussing during the inspection.

MIRI (Sept 22): The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) needs to carry out more frequent cleaning and maintenance works on the retention ponds here to prevent aquatic plants, floating rubbish and sediment from obstructing the flow and thereby, increasing flood risks.

In this regard, Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said regular maintenance was important as aquatic plants, including water hyacinths, could grow rapidly and cover the surface of ponds.

The Senadin assemblyman, however, acknowledged that the cleaning works had been carried out recently.

“Now, all the water hyacinths and plants covering the pond have been cleared.

“I have asked the DID to start maintaining all the retention ponds more regularly,” he said on Monday after inspecting the cleaning works on a retention pond at Jalan Ilmu, near the Desa Senadin area here.

Adding on, Lee said the department should also prepare a regular maintenance programme covering the main drain systems and retention ponds under its supervision.

“I think the ponds may need to be cleaned as often as every two months, as the aquatic plants can regrow quickly.”

Lee also raised concerns about floating rubbish entering the ponds through the nearby drains.

In this respect, he called upon the local council and DID to work together in addressing the matter.

On another subject, the state minister said a special allocation of RM3 million had been approved for the council to carry out drainage maintenance and upgrading works in Senadin.

According to him, the works would cover areas including Desa Senadin, Tudan and Permyjaya.

“I hope the works could be carried out and completed before the end of the year to improve the drainage’s capacity during heavy rain.”

Lee also said road rehabilitation and upgrading works on locations affected by flooding earlier this year were underway following an additional special allocation from the government.

“These include the upgrading of Jalan Ilmu at a cost of more than RM1.4 million, as well as rehabilitation works on several other flood-affected locations,” he added.

On the possible use of retention ponds for other purposes, Lee said this could be studied in the future, but their primary function as part of the flood mitigation system should remain the priority.