By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 15: The Kuala Baram access channel dredging project is currently at five per cent and is expected to be completed ahead of schedule by the end of 2026 compared to the original completion date of March 2027.
According to the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS), Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said the RM208.9 million project also involves the construction of two dikes six kilometres long with a depth of over 25 metres.
“Joint venture contractors (JV) Rimbun Prima Sdn Bhd (RPSB) and China Communications Construction Company (M) Sdn Bhd (CCC) are actively carrying out dredging and dike construction works to ensure faster and more effective water flow,” he explained.
The project also aims to make Kuala Baram a strategic location for the development of a deep-sea port in the future, he said to reporters during a working visit to the project site on March 14.
At the same time, he also stressed the importance of improving navigation safety in the area, especially in the Tanjong Lobang and Kuala Baram lighthouse areas.
He said that the Tanjong Lobang Lighthouse needed immediate repairs to function properly and comply with international navigation standards, while the lighthouse in Kuala Baram also needed to have its navigation system upgraded along the Kuala Baram Delta access channel, with discussions with Miri Port to be held on the matter.
The Senadin assemblyman also explained that the waters offshore Miri were among the busiest shipping lanes in Sarawak, including for oil and gas operations.
Therefore, he stressed that improving the navigation system was important to ensure the safety of ships entering Miri Port as well as those operating in offshore waters. — DayakDaily
