By DayakDaily Team
BETONG, June 19: Construction on the Penyulok-Nanga Penebak-Ulu Penebak road in Ulu Layar, costing RM15.3 million, to turn the 4.8-kilometre road into a JKR R1 standard road and equip it with solar-powered streetlighting, is expected to be completed in 18 months.
During the earthbreaking ceremony to mark the construction commencement today (June 19), Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas advised contractors undertaking new road construction projects not to rely on old machinery for their work, as repairs are time-consuming when they breakdown and could delay the project.
“More often than not, old tractors, excavators, and other equipment are subjected to frequent breakdown. When this happened, time would be wasted in doing the repairs or waiting for spare parts to arrive, resulting in unnecessary delays,” he said in a statement after the event held at Rh Kelimbang in Penyulok.
Uggah emphasised that this would cause people to question the integrity and seriousness of the contractor in delivering their projects on time.
He assured that the Public Works Department (JKR), responsible for monitoring the construction process, would be strict in its oversight.
“The department will not hesitate to terminate contracts of those failing to adhere to the work plan, scope and the completion schedule. This is to prevent project completion delays or even causing them to be critical,” he explained.
He added that project delays would cause people, who are the beneficiaries, to blame the government and the elected representatives.
He also called on the people, especially landowners, not to allow any petty issues to stand in the way of the construction.
“Wherever possible, resolve them with the JKR office or consult elected representatives before resorting to any extreme measures,” he advised.
In his speech earlier, Betong member of parliament (MP) Dr Richard Rapu said the upgrading work is part of Sarawak government’s ongoing efforts to improve rural infrastructure.
He also advised contractors to adhere to the work scope and complete the projects on scheduled.
JKR Sarawak director Dr Cassidy Morris was present at the ceremony. — DayakDaily
