KUCHING, Aug 23: Contracts for 18 critically delayed projects in Sarawak worth RM563 million have been or are to be terminated soon.
According to the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, they are among the 95 projects worth a total of RM10.357 billion listed as “critical delay projects” up to June this year.
This was pointed out to Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during a visit and meeting with JKR Sarawak at the department’s temporary Operation Room for critical delay project tracking at Saberkas here yesterday (Aug 23).
The briefing, conducted by engineers from the department, focused on the work progress or performance status of 236 development projects worth RM28.67 billions now under implementation, according to a statement issued today.
Uggah, who is also the Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD), was also told that 30 other projects are to be salvaged which covered the construction of bridges, office buildings, roads including upgrading works, health clinics, teachers quarters, a sports complex and repairs of dilapidated schools.
On a brighter note, the briefing disclosed that 47 of the critically delayed projects worth RM2.394 billion are expected to be completed by this year.
These are mainly the repairs of dilapidated schools, road construction as well as upgrading works and construction of government buildings.
All these projects are expected to be completed by September this year.
Uggah was accompanied by MIPD permanent secretary Chiew Chee Yau and JKR director Richard Tajan at the briefing.
Meanwhile, when visiting the Bintulu Divisional JKR office last Saturday, Uggah said the JKR and MIPD would hold a seminar soon to come up with a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) with strategies and recommendations to reduce or end sick projects. — DayakDaily
