By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Nov 30: Physical work on the Kuching Centralised Sewerage System Package 3, a Federal government-funded project with an approved scheme value of RM382 million, is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2023, says Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Dr Sim, who is also the Deputy Premier of Sarawak, stated this in his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
“Kuching Centralised Sewerage System Package 3 is another Federal government funded project, which has an approved scheme value of RM382 million.
“The Value Assessment Lab conducted by the Federal Economic Planning Unit for this project was completed in September 2022.
“The project is now in the final stage of the procurement process, and the physical works are expected to commence by the first quarter of 2023,” he explained.
He went on to say that the Kuching Centralised Sewerage System Package 2, which cost RM750 million, began on Sept 15, 2017.
He also noted that it covers Kampung Gita, part of Jalan Matang, Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman Yaakub, and Padungan areas.
“The scheduled completion date is Jan 22, 2024. To date, the project has achieved 66 per cent completion.
“This is a delay of 18 per cent due to the general shortage of manpower and exceptionally hard underground rock layer.
“The Department and the contractor are monitoring the progress closely, and the contractor is now implementing a catch up plan to progressively reduce the delay so that the project can be completed as scheduled by the first quarter of 2024,” he said.
Dr Sim continued stating that this year, the federal government has also approved and allocated funds to commence Miri Centralised Sewerage System Phase 2 with a scheme value of RM450 million.
Furthermore, he stated that Phase 1 of the Miri Centralised Sewerage System, with a scheme value of RM428 million, began on Mar 30th, 2017.
“The work is divided into 2 packages. Package A involves the installation of a public sewer network and property connections. Package B involves the construction of a centralised sewage treatment plant with a 50,000 population equivalent sewage treatment process module.
“Package B was fully completed in November 2020. However, the completion of Package A is delayed due to severe unfavourable underground soil conditions encountered at a depth of about 15 meters for a stretch of about 50 meters of the trunk sewer near to Sg Miri crossing at Tudan area.
“The Department is now implementing a temporary solution so that the Miri Centralised Sewerage System Phase 1 can be commissioned immediately,” he disclosed.
He continued, “The Department targets to complete the temporary system and to commence the property connections within the next three months.”
Dr Sim also mentioned that the Sewerage Services Department (SSD) is another agency that is implementing projects funded by both the Sarawak government and the Federal government under the Concurrent List. — DayakDaily
