By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 23: A rescue contractor has been appointed to complete the delayed stormwater drainage project for flood mitigation along Jalan Masjid to Lebuh Java within a four-month period by early December this year with additional funding of RM2.95 million.
Deputy Minister for Utilities and Telecommunications Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the services of the previous contractor was terminated on Sept 20, 2021 after the contractor failed to complete the project, which started in Jan 11, 2018 and supposed to be completed by Jan 12, 2019, due to many issues including the Covid-19 pandemic.
“When this flood mitigation project was awarded to the first contractor by the Sarawak government through DBKU (Kuching North City Hall), the initial cost was RM6.6 million.
“However the first contractor was unable to complete this project, and now we have appointed a new contractor on Aug 1, 2022 with additional funding of RM2.95 million,” he told reporters during a site visit today.
The construction of the new drainage outlet for stormwater discharge covers a length of 515 metres along Jalan Masjid-Jalan Gartak-Jalan Gartak (Bus Terminal)-Jalan Market-Lebuh Java and leading to Sungai Sarawak.
Following the take over, Dr Abdul Rahman revealed, the project is currently ahead of schedule with progress at seven per cent as work started well and is carried out day and night.
“As you can see, the work including road surfacing have started in front of the polyclinic at Jalan Masjid here and they will continue along the stretch with outlets to Sungai Sarawak.
“We want this rescue contractor to complete this project in four months. Hopefully by the end of the year, this issue can be addressed,” he said, despite noting that the current rainy season and unpredictable weather changes may affect the planned work.
Dr Abdul Rahman emphasised that this project is very important to mitigate flooding which occurs frequently in this area, especially in areas surrounding Padang Merdeka, for the safety and comfort of the public in the near future. — DayakDaily
