LIMBANG, Feb 8: The 9.5km Meritam-Telahak-Buangabai-Pengkalan Rejab Road project which is currently in Phase 4 is experiencing a delay that will set it back about 43 days from the scheduled completion time.
According to a report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS), Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the Ministry of Rural Development’s (KPLB) project worth RM66.7 million should have been completed on Jan 19, 2022.
Thus, he urged the contractors to expedite the completion of the project so that the people do not continue to wait.
“I want this project to be completed immediately as it is 43 days late but the construction work must be done in compliance with all the specifications that have been set.
“This road is not only for the convenience of our community in terms of communication but will help develop the surrounding areas,” he said during his visit to the project site yesterday (Feb 7).
Awang Tengah who is also the Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources II also explained that there were several other factors that caused the delay.
“Among the reasons was that part of this road is experiencing soil sediment and we have already instructed the Public Works Department (JKR) to monitor and overcome this sediment problem.
“Secondly, we have also asked for the hill area to be lowered.
“Thirdly, we also find that there is a river whose culvert is built quite small and is placed in a less suitable place. So I have already asked for the culvert to be rebuilt and the contractor agreed to make a new culvert according to the flow of the river,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Rural Development II and Limbang MP Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang, former Limbang Division Resident Ir Ahmad Denney Ahmad Fauzi, Acting Resident of Limbang Division Sebi Abang, and Limbang District Officer Superi Awang Said. — DayakDaily
