MIRI, Feb 5: In accordance with the restructuring of Public Works Department (JKR) offices in Sarawak, all its divisional offices are given the authority to manage projects in their respective areas.
Deputy Premier-cum-Second Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Sarawak, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, said this move would help Sarawak JKR to serve the people better.
“Before the restructuring, the regional office did most of the big jobs. In line with the revised structure, all its divisional offices would manage projects in their respective divisions to tackle issues immediately.
“So, the Sarawak Premier has decided to let them (Sarawak JKR divisional offices) manage all projects at the divisional level,” he said at the Federation of Miri Division Chinese Association’s (FCA) Chinese New Year open house last night (Feb 4) where he represented Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Uggah asserted that the decision is crucial for JKR Sarawak to improve its efficiency.
In response to Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin’s request to upgrade and extend three roads here to dual carriageways — the link road from the Pan Borneo Pujut bypass traffic light to the Pujut corner road roundabout, Padang Kerbau road, and Jalan Cahaya — Uggah said it would be proposed under the mid-term review this year.
“I was told that JKR needs to look at it first,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak government has approved RM300 million to improve the efficiency of Miri Port’s governance, augment capacity utilisation, and enhance its maritime sector.
“It sits on a 3,000-hectare industrial land and is not developed because of the port problem,” said Uggah, adding that port performance in an economy is crucial for trade competitiveness.
He added that under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, a Port Masterplan Study would be carried out this year, with Miri Port Authority as its first project.
Also present at the FCA’s Chinese New Year open house were Lee; Sarawak Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood, and Community Development (Women and Childhood Development) Datuk Rosey Yunus; Sarawak Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government (Public Health and Housing) Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil; China Deputy Consul General in Kuching Song Changhong; Miri Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang; and FCA’s president Datuk David Goh. — DayakDaily
