ALOR SETAR: Seven flood mitigation projects are in the works for Kedah with RM1.3bil to be allocated, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The projects are among several others in the pipeline to alleviate living standards and traffic flow in the state.
"To minimise the impact of floods in Kedah, the government is committed to implementing seven flood mitigation projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan with an allocation of RM1.3bil.
"These includes in Sungai Pendang, Sungai Kedah/Anak Bukit, Kuala Pegang and Bandar Jitra Selatan," he said when launching the three-day Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia or Malaysian Family Aspirations (AKM) Tour at Stadium Darul Aman here on Friday (Sept 2).
Ismail Sabri, however, did not provide further details about the projects but spoke on several other projects for the state.
"To alleviate traffic flow and minimise travel time, the government has spent RM425mil to upgrade the lane from the junction of Lencongan Barat to the junction of Tiga Kemboja.
"In addition, RM526mil is allocated to upgrade the Gerik/Kupang/Lunas federal road.
"The old Menjalara Bridge in Kota Setar with a new bridge will ensure more systematic traffic flow.
"Realising the importance of education for the future of Keluarga Malaysia in Kedah, a total RM1.13bil involving 109 new and existing projects, have been allocated for development of schools and education institutions.
"To alleviate living standards of the hardcore poor, the government has introduced the hardcore poor housing project (PPRT).
"In Kedah, a total 844 houses are being built and refurbished at a cost of RM15.7mil to benefit 4,220 residents in sub-urban areas.
"A total of RM239mil is also allocated for building a network of sewage systems in Kedah involving 28 public sewage plants and 16 plants in governmental premises," he added in his speech.
Kedah Mentri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor in his speech said Kedah has achieved outstanding amount of investments in the last two years.
"Last year, a total RM68.3bil worth of investments were recorded.
"Almost RM20bil of investments had been recorded by the second quarter of this year," he said.
The AKM event is expected to attract about 100,000 visitors over the weekend.
Among the over 117 programmes planned for the event are dozens of booths from government agencies offering job opportunities.
There are also exhibitions as well as other activities such as lucky draws.
