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By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 5: Contractors for the construction of the Sejingkat Bridge, a dual carriageway spanning 1.2km across the Sarawak River costing RM365 million, have been urged to beef up works as the project reaches 21.86 per cent completion as of today, which is slightly behind the scheduled progress of 30.50 per cent.
According to the project details posted at the project’s office site, the current delay was due to encountering a hard rock layer during bored pile works, which required prolonged drilling and affected the river pilecap works at certain sections.
During an inspection visit at the project site today, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas disclosed that the targeted completion of this project is June 25, 2025.
The Sejingkat Bridge project, which forms an integral part of the coastal highway’s development, also encompasses the upgrading of the existing 400-metre-long Jalan Kampung Tanjong Bako at a cost of RM37 million and the construction of a 7km-long road from Jalan Kampung Tanjong Bako to Batang Samarahan Bridge costing RM106 million.
“On the upgrading of Jalan Kampung Tanjong Bako which leads to (under construction) Sejingkat Bridge, progress has reached 46 per cent. It is doing well and expected to be completed on April 9, 2024,” Uggah told reporters when met at the Sejingkat Bridge project site today.
As for the 7km-long road project, Uggah who is also Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, said this project was previously categorised as sick.
“The initial contract was terminated with a new contractor appointed. We hope it will be completed by February 2026,” he explained.
Uggah expressed satisfaction with most contractors complying to the one-month rule for new project contracts, requiring contractors to demonstrate substantial progress within 30 days of taking on a project.
“In the case of the 7km road project which a new contractor took over, we expect 30 days from taking over, there must be progress of work.
“If there is no progress, the ministry will have the option to terminate the contract. So that they (contractors) are aware they must move into the project site in a timely manner and show that they are serious to undertake the project,” he elaborated.
The rule, he emphasised, also encourages main contractors to be more diligent in project management, particularly when engaging sub-contractors as project delays could results in contract termination.
“We understand main contractors also face difficulties sometimes in looking for sub-contractors, which could result in works not done for six months. So this is what we don’t want, else the project will be delayed such as the five roundabouts (along the Kuching-Kota Samarahan Expressway),” he said.
Uggah underscored the ministry’s commitment to closely monitoring projects to ensure they do not encounter delays or setbacks as completing projects on schedule is essential to meet public expectations and stimulate economic growth.
“If it is sick, unable to be completed with the contractor not receiving payment, the funds don’t flow into the economy. The public will be upset, projects are stunted and government disappointed, JKR (Public Works Department) will need to take serious measures to ensure the project is implemented on schedule,” he said.
While acknowledging that challenges may arise, Uggah gave reassurance that there are always solutions to address them effectively. — DayakDaily
