Flood Drains in Kuala Baram in danger due to cement delays from monopoly suppplier

Shortage of cement delays drain project

January 4, 2012, Wednesday

THAT’S HOW IT IS: Mutang (left) briefs Lai (second left) on the project at the site.

MIRI: The prevailing cement shortage is delaying the construction of a monsoon drain to mitigate flood in Kuala Baram Industrial Estate here.
The RM1.9-million project is funded by Ministry of Industrial Development to address the frequent flooding in the area during the monsoon season which is made worse when it coincides with high tide and king tide.
Director of Semaring Logistic (M) Sdn Bhd, Mutang Tagal, who briefed Mayor Lawrence Lai on the project during his site visit yesterday afternoon disclosed: “Phase one of the project involving construction of a 280-metre long monsoon drain was supposed to be completed by the end of December. The acute shortage of cement experienced by us and others in the construction industry throughout the state is causing delay to the project.”
According to Mutang, the situation was made worse by the monsoon season which hampered their work.
“If we are able to get hold of the cement we ordered soon, we try to complete the job by the end of this month,” he assured.
The monsoon drain will help to discharge flood waters directly into the Baram River and then to the sea. The project also includes construction of a rubbish trap to ensure that logs and other floating debris will not float into the monsoon drain.Lai hoped that the project will reduce flooding in the area.

CMS has been having a cement monopoly in Sarawak for nearly 30 years.