By Doreen Ling
MIRI, Jan 11: Components of a modular Bailey bridge have been shipped by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) to the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak to replace the steel bridge across Sungai Baleh which was damaged in a flood last October.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also the Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, thanked NADMA for shipping over the components of the Bailey bridge from Port Klang to Miri Port.
“The bridge replacement for Sungai Baleh is only one of the many critical infrastructure issues we face in Baram.
“There are numerous log bridges and culverts along the former logging roads in the lower, middle, and upper Baram areas that urgently need replacement,” he said during the handing over of the components of the modular Bailey bridge at the JKR Bekenu Depo during a live stream by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) today.
Uggah, who was represented by the Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration, and Project Monitoring) and Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala, said that because logging companies have scaled back on their operations, they are no longer maintaining these infrastructures, leaving many communities without safe access to essential services.
He also added that to ensure continued safety and to prepare for the installation of the bridge, 23 personnel will be sent to JKR Putatan in Sabah for training from January 13 to 19.
“We anticipate the installation of more bridges in the future as training is crucial to ensure continued safety and efficiency of infrastructure,” he said in his speech read by Gerawat.
Meanwhile, Gerawat, in his own speech, said the damage to the steel bridge at Sungai Baleh disrupted connectivity to vital areas such as villages, schools, and clinics, and affected rural development projects.
“To temporarily restore connectivity, a log bridge was constructed by JKR, which ensured that essential services can continue, but it is a fragile situation given the unstable nature of the temporary log bridge.
“I hope JKR can expedite the installation of the Bailey bridge as soon as possible as we are all aware that another significant flood could easily damage the temporary structure and we must ensure that the people are not left vulnerable again,” said Gerawat.
NADMA director-general Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus, Sarawak deputy secretary cum Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) deputy chairman Datu Buckland Bangik, Miri Resident Galong Luang, JKR Sarawak deputy director Wisil Lichok, and JKR Miri divisional engineer Stephen Ung Neng Hui were among those present. — DayakDaily
