No budget for resident relocation in Jeniang Transfer

​​​​ALOR STAR: The RM1 billion allocation to develop the Jeniang Transfer canal and the Naok Dam does not cover the cost of relocating residents in the affected areas.
State women's development, agriculture and agro-based industry, entrepreneur development and social welfare committee chairman, Datuk Suraya Yaacob said the allocation was only for the cost of land acquisition.
"There will be payment for each piece of land acquired for this project and they (the residents) can buy their houses in places they want to live in," she said in reply to a question from Mahadzir Abdul Hamid (BN-Jeneri) on the relocation of residents affected by the project.
The Jeniang Transfer canal and the Naok Dam projects in Sik and Pendang are steps taken by the Kedah Government to resolve the problem of water supply shortage by 2025.
Last year, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said the issue of water supply shortage in the state was expected to be critical in 20 to 30 years, especially with the increase in population.
Suraya said the cost of the project estimated at RM1 billion would increase due to various factors and a detailed study was being conducted to ensure it stayed within the allocated amount. — Bernama