In an effort to deal with flooding, several drainage projects have been carried out throughout the 11th National Development Plan to reduce the total flood-prone area from 332 square kilometres to 288 square kilometres.
This was said by Minister of Development Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid during the 20th session of the Legislative Council meeting yesterday.
Meanwhile, sea erosions along 57 kilometres (km) of the 130km coastline has been addressed, he said.
Among the flood control projects that were completed in the 2023-2024 financial year were construction of a flood control pool and water reservoir in Sungai Tutong; dredging works along the Tutong River from Kampong Penapar; a flood prevention project in the upstream and downstream of Sungai Tutong; and the upgrade of the drainage system of Kampong Sungai Akar.
Other projects such as the dredging and widening of the Brunei River, Sungai Kedayan and Sungai Damuan; building a new drain measuring three metres wide in Kampong Tanah Jambu; upgrading the drainage system in Kampong Kiarong; and the upgrading of integrated services infrastructure works in the Kuala Belait-Seria municipal area, were also highlighted.
“In the past year, several areas in Belait District have experienced frequent flooding. The Public Works Department has identified the cause of the floods and will implement several projects to reduce the frequency of floods under the 12th National Development Plan.
“These include improving the drainage system and reducing the occurrence of floods with concrete drains and pumping stations,“ he said. – Azlan Othman
