KUCHING, Aug 26: The federal government has tendered out contracts worth RM100 million in 10 packages to repair dilapidated schools in rural Sarawak.
Works Minister Baru Bian said the packages have been tendered out, and will soon be announced.
“That’s what I know because it has been tendered out, and you will hear of it soon. I will probably be officiating some of the earth-breaking (ceremonies) and maybe some other leaders would be doing that too,” he told reporters after attending the 23rd Pasific Association of Quantity Surveyors Congress (PAQS) 2019 here this morning.
Asked on what was the status of the RM350 million allocation to be used to fix dilapidated rural Sarawak schools after the state government paid the state loan of the same amount, Baru Bian said he had no details and information about it.
He however, assured that he will check and push for the RM350 million allocation to be used on run-down schools as soon as possible.
“To me the issue of dilapidated schools in the state is very important because I have raised it as well in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN). Therefore the implementation (to fix them) must be carried out as soon as possible.
“To me after there has been allocation by the federal, or collaboration between federal and state, it has to be implemented as soon as possible because I know very well the situation of the schools in rural Sarawak, the teachers’ quarters and the classrooms themselves, we need to have a conducive environment for the students to excel and the teachers to be happy.
“As for the RM350 million paid by the state (for the purpose to fix dilapidated schools) I will check and see how it can be pushed as soon as possible,” said Baru.
On another issue, Baru said that the new Project Delivery Partner (PDP) for the Pan Borneo Highway project would be announced “very very soon”.
He said the federal cabinet has yet to make any decision but he assured that it would be done very soon after which he would make the announcement accordingly.
“You will get the announcement soon. Very very soon. It will be decided soon by the cabinet and I will announce it accordingly,” said Baru. — DayakDaily
