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By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, June 20: Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) Deputy Minister Aidel Lariwoo says the State government has set a goal of achieving zero ‘sick projects’ in Sarawak by the end of the year.
Aidel disclosed that there are currently 35 projects that have been identified as ‘sick projects’.
“Previously, there were many sick projects, but we are pleased to report that the number of such listed projects has decreased by more than half.
“Therefore, our goal is to have zero such projects by the end of the year,” he told reporters at a press conference after officiating the ‘Physical And Infrastructure Asset Management Conference 2023’ today at a hotel in Kuching.
Sick projects in Sarawak, he continued, are divided into two categories: state-funded and federally-funded.
According to Aidel, based on a recent meeting with the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, there are only a handful of state-funded sick projects remaining, which they will attempt to resolve by the end of the year by appointing competent local rescue contractors.
In addition, he stated that many of these projects, particularly those involving the construction of roads and bridges, had become delayed a result of a rise in the price of raw materials.
“The construction of roads and bridges requires a substantial amount of sand filling.
“Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, diesel and raw materials were not that expensive.
“However, after the pandemic, diesel and raw materials such as sand are so much more expensive,” he added.
Aidel, who is also Sadong Jaya assemblyman, continued, “The increased cost of sand extraction was caused by the rise in diesel prices.”
He further explained that during the Covid-19 pandemic, there were numerous restrictions imposed by the movement control order (MCO), which required workers to leave and made it difficult to re-enter, particularly for foreign workers.
“As a result, the initial contractor assigned to the projects has been replaced by the rescue contractor to ensure that the projects are completed on time.”
Moreover, Aidel highlighted that the rescue contractors, particularly the one who took over the traffic light projects at the Kota Samarahan roundabouts, have made considerable progress thus far.
“As of yesterday, nearly 60 per cent of the progress has been completed ahead of schedule.
“Therefore, this demonstrates the state government’s commitment to closely monitor contracts and rescue contractors’ performance to ensure projects are completed on time.”
Meanwhile, Aidel noted that the physical progress of the Marudi Bridge project, which was classified as a sick project, is now ahead of schedule and is expected to be completed in 2025. — DayakDaily
