“I understand that the government, due to financial difficulties, could not give 100 per cent of the RM350 million requested.
“But at least we can use the amount to work on the FMP that was delayed for so long.
“Nevertheless, we will continue to ask for additional allocations,” he said at a press conference at Komtar today.
Yesterday, several parts of Penang were hit by flash floods for the fourth time in two weeks.
It wreaked havoc in low-lying areas near Penang island’s longest riverine, Sungai Pinang, caving in roads and bringing down mud from hill slopes in other areas.
Penang Federal Action Council Chairman Zainal Abidin Osman said earlier today the RM150 million allocated will have two components.
The first, costing RM25 million, would be used to deepen and beautify the Sungai Pinang river. The second, worth RM125 million, would be used for flood mitigation projects along the river and 10 tributaries.
Lim said the Penang Government had pledged to continue working with the Federal Government to tackle flood woes and obtain more allocations from Putrajaya.
State Flood Mitigation Committee Chairman Chow Kon Yeow said Penang had applied for allocations for four other FMP.
These four, applied via the state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), were for the Sg Prai river basin (RM70 million); Sg Juru river basin (RM80 million); Sg Jawi river basin (RM40 million); and Bayan Lepas (RM153 million).
“We are very happy with the allocation. We will re-examine the current plan to maximise the RM150 million given to us.
“We are told the project will begin in the second half of 2017.
“Anyway, we will continue to demand for another RM820 million to complete all our FMP plans,” Chow said.