WIJAYA PARK FLOOD STILL NOT SOLVED

INSPECTING…. Edward and Allem inspecting the new drain.

THE FLOOD problem in the Wijaya Park housing estate in Menggatal is still unsolved even though the authorities had built a big and deep storm drain aiming to drain the flood water from this flood prompt housing estate.

The Sabah DAP Vice Chairman, Edward Ewol Mujie and the complain bureau chief Allem Chieng were called in to inspect the condition of the new drain which the people here said the drain has not served its purpose and will not function during heavy down pour of rain. The whole housing is still under few feet of water when it rains.

Edward and Allem saw that the new and old drains are joined to the same place into a smaller drain that leads to the main road side drain. The drains ceased to function when the main road drains overflow and the water will back flow into the housing area. The residents came to tell that they are sorry to see that the authorities carried out such badly designed and planned drain construction work.

They don’t really see that the new and old drains can function properly. Any layman can tell that the downstream of the drain is not done properly to allow the quick discharge of the water; the whole area will remain flooded.

Edward said the authorities should come up with a total drainage system in the area in order to stop the flood reoccurring. The work must be complete and not leaving bits and pieces here or there undone. He said, what is the use to build a big deep drain upstream, and leaving the downstream drain narrow and shallow?

Besides, the people here also questioned that why there is no cover to this new drain which is 4 feet wide and 5 feet deep. Anytime the kids or animal can fall into the drain and get drawn. They urge the authorities to install railing to the drain or provide covers to avoid tragedy happening. They don’t want to see a ‘death trap’ in their kampong.