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SIBU, Aug 6: The Ministry of Local Government Development has been urged to explain the seeming abandonment of the People’s Housing Programme project in Sibu Jaya.
“The project cost up to RM92 million and when the 5 per cent GST is included, it costs as much as RM97.52 million.
“Work on this project started in October 2020 and should have been completed on October 23, 2022; 26 months to complete,” said Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) deputy chairman Wong Ching Yong at a press conference here today.
Wong who is also the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Dudong chairman said that 2,022 residents have been affected by the uncompleted housing project.
According to Wong, a total of 461 single-storey terrace housing units were to have been developed for the project.
“This project has been delayed by 90.7 per cent of its original schedule, equivalent to 960 days already delayed.
“Since this project is located within the administrative area of SRDC we have the right to hear an explanation from the ministry especially from its Minister Nga Kor Ming,” he stressed.
He said this project is very important to Sibu because it is the only housing project of its kind for the people here.
Wong claimed previously the ministry had never been in contact with SRDC regarding the project even though it was located in the council’s administrative area.
Wong told reporters that he and other councilors had visited the project site on yesterday but the site was still locked with no signs of construction work being carried out.
“SRDC has the right to ask about this project because we will issue an occupation permit (OP) when this project is completed.
“Many people do not know that this project is a sick project and is the only project of the People’s Housing Programme in Sibu,” he added.
The ground-breaking ceremony for the project was officiated by the then Minister of Housing and Local Government, Zuraida Kamaruddin on 17 September 2020. — DayakDaily
