KUCHING, Feb 3: Sarawak still has 340 sick projects, says Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
The Deputy Premier emphasised that Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had, during a recent State Development Coordination Committee meeting in Kapit, urged the Public Works Department (JKR) and Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to ensure all development projects entrusted to the Ministry be completed as scheduled and with the stipulated quality.
“The Ministry and its agencies have a lot to do this year. We have revived many sick projects, although they are still a nagging problem,” he said during the Ministry’s Chinese New Year 2023 gathering at a local hotel here last night.
Despite that, Uggah remained optimistic that stakeholders can rise to the occasion with close collaboration and the many new technologies available.
“But I am optimistic that with our close collaboration, support, and understanding, we can rise to the occasion.
“We can learn from our past mistakes, the success we have achieved and the many new technologies that we can use.
“I am also very grateful to my two deputy ministers, Dato Majang Renggi and Ir. Aidel Lariwoo, for being helpful and supportive,” he added.
On Tuesday (Jan 31), Uggah mentioned that the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 largely contributed to delayed projects.
While he noted that contractors are now facing manpower, financial, and building material problems apart from subcontractors who failed to perform, Uggah now wants all contractors awarded projects to deliver as almost four years have passed and the pandemic situation has improved.
He also urged JKR offices in Sarawak to act firmly against those not performing to expectations.
On the Ministry’s performance last year, Uggah said out of the RM7.724 million Operating Expenditure, it managed to spend RM7.548 million or 97.71 per cent.
“However, on the Development Expenditure, out of the RM942.991 million allocated, we have spent RM642.751 million or 68.16 per cent,” he said at the function.
Uggah’s wife, Datin Amar Doreen Mayang, Deputy Minister of Port Development Dato Majang Renggi and Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Development Aidel Lariwoo, Betong MP Dr Richard Rapu, MIPD permanent secretary Chiew Chee Yaw and Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak director Ir. Richard Tajan was among those present at the function. — DayakDaily
