Less 'sinking feeling' with foam infill for pontoons — <b>Sarawak</b> Rivers <b>...</b> Berita Sarawak - News 2 Sarawak |
- Less 'sinking feeling' with foam infill for pontoons — <b>Sarawak</b> Rivers <b>...</b>
- Climate change will cause 'serious economic losses' in Pacific <b>...</b>
- IGP's statement had been misinterpreted — Sabah CP – BorneoPost <b>...</b>
| Less 'sinking feeling' with foam infill for pontoons — <b>Sarawak</b> Rivers <b>...</b> Posted: 09 Dec 2013 11:33 AM PST SIBU: The chance of pontoons in the state sinking will be reduced by about 90 per cent when they have foam infill. Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) chairman Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn, yesterday said the contract for filling works on the six pontoons at Kapit Wharf here was awarded on Nov 7. "It has been awarded to a contractor, and the Public Works Department (JKR) will help us to monitor its implementation. "Work is expected to start soon as the contractor has ordered foam blocks from Kuala Lumpur. We expect the project to be completed in four months' time." He told The Borneo Post that SRB had also awarded the contract to put foam infill on the five pontoons in Sarikei, and work was also expected to be completed at about the same time. This formed part of the upgrading exercise for pontoons in the state, he added. "When all these are completed, it will increase the buoyancy of our pontoons. Minor leaks will not cause any problem. We do not expect it to get submerged unless there is real damage or being torn off." Sagah, who is State Legislative assembly (DUN) deputy speaker and Tarat assemblyman, said the cost of using foam infill for pontoons in Sibu and Sarikei would cost about RM450,000. He added that they had completed such an initiative in Tatau, Limbang and Lawas. "All the pontoons in Sarawak will be fitted with such material eventually, but this will be done in stages as we don't have funds to do it in one go." On the submerged Pontoon No. 7, he said they hope to refloat it by next week as the water level was expected to subside then. "But we will be getting feedback from JKR and DID (Drainage and Irrigation Department) to see if the operations of the pump (at the pump house) have impact on that pontoon. "If proven so, we will move the pontoon to a place where it is needed." Sagah said in reality the remaining six pontoons were sufficient to cater to current needs here. On the damaged fender at Kapit Wharf here, he said this would be done together with the minor repair works, including repainting. He added that they would be doing the repair work on the plank walks to the pontoons as well. SRB, he said, had maintenance funds to carry out such works. Sagah said SRB would continue to do upgrading works across the state for the convenience and safety of commuters. "For example, in Kapit terminal, the upgrading and improvement project will cost about RM4 million. It is now in the design stage." Meanwhile, Saga disclosed that a technical assistant will be posted here on Jan 2, 2014. The staff will look after maintenance and has been instructed to do an audit of all SRB facilities here in order to give the best for the public. "Hopefully, with the technical staff here, it will reduce problems here as he can do immediate follow-up."  To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.  |
| Climate change will cause 'serious economic losses' in Pacific <b>...</b> Posted: 25 Nov 2013 08:30 PM PST The Pacific region faces serious economic losses due to climate change and it is critical that nations causing the problem step in to help, the Asian Development Bank said Tuesday. A new report by the bank released in Sydney, "Economics of Climate Change in the Pacific", showed that losses would range between 2.9 percent and 15.2 percent of annual gross domestic product by 2100. The Pacific contains some of the smallest nations on Earth and there are growing fears that global warming and rising seas threaten their very existence, with some of them atolls barely a metre (three feet) above sea level. The report assessed the potential impacts of climate change on agriculture, fisheries, tourism, coral reefs, and human health, with the ADB's Pacific director general Xianbin Yao warning of dire consequences. "It is critical that countries contributing to the problem of climate change step up to assist Pacific friends and neighbours in the fight to protect their countries against natural disasters, crop losses, and forced migration," Yao said. "Our findings show that if not adequately addressed, climate change could overturn the region's development achievements." Yao did not say which countries were being referred to but the United States, China, India, Australia and the EU are among the world's major polluters. According to the report, the most significant economic losses would be felt in Papua New Guinea, where climate change impacts could trigger a loss of up to 15.2 percent of GDP by 2100. East Timor's GDP is predicted to drop by up to 10 percent, followed by Vanuatu (6.2 percent), Solomon Islands (4.7 percent), Fiji (4.0 percent), and Samoa (3.8 percent). Under a medium emissions scenario, Fiji, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, East Timor and Vanuatu could see temperatures rise by 2-3 Celsius (3.6-5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2070, the report said, which could lead to significant decreases in rain-fed agriculture, reduced fish catches, widespread coral bleaching, and falling tourism numbers. The report noted that the negative effect on agriculture contributed to most of the total economic cost of climate change in the Pacific. It recommended policy leaders take urgent action to mainstream climate change mitigation into development planning and develop forward-looking strategies. Pacific countries will also need dramatically improved access to global and regional climate change funds, it added. In September, the 15-nation Pacific Islands Forum signed a declaration committing themselves to urgent action on climate change, while pleading with the rest of the world to follow their lead. The Majuro Declaration, named after the Marshall Islands' capital, contains specific pledges on cutting greenhouse gas emissions and adopting renewable energy from each of the PIF nations. Marshall Islands President Christopher Loeak said at the time that the goal was to create the political will for the world to adopt legally-binding climate change targets by 2015.-AFP To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names. |
| IGP's statement had been misinterpreted — Sabah CP – BorneoPost <b>...</b> Posted: 19 Dec 2013 08:24 AM PST KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Commissioner of Police (CP), Datuk Hamza Taib has urged all parties particularly the media not to speculate on Inspector- General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar's statement regarding claims of imminent attacks on Sabah by militant groups. He said Khalid's statement had been misintepreted and erroneously reported. "Reporters had asked him for updates and the IGP's reply was that the police were constantly receiving information from various sources and that they were prepared for any possibility. "He did not mention that Sabah was about to be attacked," he told a press conference after attending the monthly police gathering at the Sabah police contingent headquarters organised by the Special branch here yesterday. Hamza when asked on propaganda that militant groups including Abu Sayyaf and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were planning an incursion on Pulau Selingan (Sandakan), Pulau Langkayan (Beluran) and Resort Sukau (Kinabatangan) on Tuesday and Christmas Day, said the police received such information all the time but would not treat it lightly. "Every information will be scrutinised though a special method to determine its authenticity," he said. Meanwhile, he said the ongoing 'Op Gasak' conducted by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and 'Op Cantas' by the police have impacted positively in weeding out undesirable elements particularly at the water villages. — Bernama To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names. |
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