SPAOH, April 28: The Sarawak Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) has received a list of 92 infrastructure projects costing RM1.092 billion.
Its minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, said the list was submitted following the federal government’s decision earlier this year to allow Sarawak to implement federal projects costing RM50 million and below.
The Deputy Sarawak Premier said 87 projects were received by the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak and five by the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID).
“Both departments have also been recognised as technical departments by the federal government recently, which allowed them to manage the projects without having to refer to their Putrajaya offices.
“Our JKR is now working out its standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure the projects entrusted to it can be completed properly and on time.
“It is critical that both JKR and DID can deliver on schedule because Sarawak has requested this implementation autonomy under the AP 182 (Arahan Perbenderaan or Treasury Instructions) for all federal projects in Sarawak,” he said.
He told the media this after attending a briefing on development projects in his constituency of Bukit Saban today.
Uggah added Sarawak is preparing, including looking at the workforce requirements of the JKR in every division, to cope with the additional responsibilities.
“We will meet in Miri next Tuesday to get feedback from them and their preparedness to implement.
“Our objective is clear—we want to complete the projects as scheduled. If we can accomplish this, it will prove we have the capability in terms of manpower and technical know-how.
“This will be by the trust given to us under the AP 182,” he said.
Later, Uggah visited a ginger garden belonging to 10 families at Rh Desmond Sujang at Engkerebai.
He was accompanied by Betong MP Dr Richard Rapu. — DayakDaily
