Chinese company lends technology to deepen Pahang river

KUANTAN: The project to deepen the rivers in Pahang to tackle the flood problem in the state will take 40 years, beginning in January next year.
The Pahang state government has appointed Gegaran Alam Sdn Bhd, here, to implement the first phase of the project, which is expected to take 15 years.
In this regard, the company is collaborating with China Malaysia (Pahang) Project Management Company Limited from Beijing, China in the use of sophisticated technology for deepening the rivers.
Gegaran Alam managing director, Ng Yit Seng said the project would be divided into three phases over a 40-year period, with 15 years given to implement the first phase, also 15 years for the second phase and 10 years for the third phase.
"However, for a start, the state government has approved a 15-year period for the first phase, after which it will re-evaluate the company's capability to decide whether it should give approval for the company to continue the work for the subsequent phases."
Ng said this to reporters after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Gegaran Alam and the Chinese company, here, today.
Ng represented Gegaran Alam, while China Malaysia (Pahang) Project Management Company Limited was represented by its managing director, Zhang Shi Jun, with the signing witnessed by Pahang director of Land and Mines, Datuk Nazri Abu Bakar, representing the state government.
Ng said the first phase of the river-deepening work, costing RM500 million, would involve the upper stretch of Sungai Pahang, Sungai Jelai, Sungai Lipis, Sungai Kenau and part of Sungai Kuantan, a total distance of 272km.
He said the project had received approval for its Environmental Impact Assessment study and the Hydraulic Study conducted in 2014.
"However, the state government will not bear any cost as it will be borne by the parties carrying out the project.
"We have been given approval to sell the resources like sand and minerals dug out through this project to finance the cost incurred. This is considered a win-win situation," he added. — Bernama