KUCHING, Oct 30: The government will continue developing high-impact infrastructure projects worth RM3.5 billion including the Pan-Borneo Highway and the Central Spine Road that will facilitate economic recovery in the country.
Senior Minister of Works Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said his ministry has received RM7.306 billion allocation under the Budget 2022.
“The government will continue to implement small and medium projects worth RM2.9 billion earmarked for G1 to G4 class contractors nationwide.
“These allocations include road maintenance projects, repair of obsolete infrastructure and equipment of public universities, polytechnics and community colleges as well as other projects involving social amenities in rural areas,” he said in a statement yesterday (Oct 29).
He mentioned that RM30 million is also allocated to upgrade the infrastructure of government buildings to be OKU friendly.
Fadillah also stated that the government has prepared several initiatives to ensure the sustainability of the construction sector to be one of the main contributors to the national economy as the country moves into endemic phase.
Among them are small-scale projects specifically for Bumiputera participation worth RM200 million, accelerator programme through Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to G1-G4 youth contractors through capacity building courses and on-job training with an allocation of RM10 million as well as education empowerment programme including technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to meet the needs of the industry with an allocation of RM6.6 billion.
He added that development expenditure allocation amounted to RM5.2 billion and RM4.6 billion for Sabah and Sarawak respectively will be used to implement water supply, electricity, road, educational and health facilities infrastructure projects.
“In addition, 20 more mobile banks are expected to operate in 250 areas and mukims in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
At the same time, Fadillah said the Budget 2022 showed the government’s commitment in continuing the implementation of the Sabah and Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway project.
“Apart from that, focus is also given to upgrading buildings and infrastructure in 112 poor schools in Sabah and 165 schools in Sarawak with an allocation of RM746 million,” he pointed out. — DayakDaily
