KUCHING, June 28: Upgrading works for Bailey bridges worth RM194 million is set to continue after a temporary delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Santubong MP Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar revealed today.
According to Wan Junaidi, this includes upgrades for Sungai Rayu, Sungai Belian, Sungai Loba Stoh 1, Sungai Loba Stoh 2, Sungai Muih, Sungai Sampa, Sungai Kuali and Sungai Chuping bridges.
“These two bridge upgrading projects costing a total of RM194 million has been approved by the Sarawak government. The project construction work was put on temporary hold after the country was faced with the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, not due to financial problems as claimed by certain irresponsible parties,” he told reporters when met after visiting one of the upgrading sites along the Sempadi-Lundu road, today.
Wan Junaidi also expressed hope that the project will continue to run as smoothly as possible and be completed, so that the local community can benefit from it.
He pointed out that the completion of the Bailey bridge upgrading project will facilitate more traffic which in turn would help to increase sales of local products.
“In 2017, I approved a total of RM30,000 for a sales booth construction project using federal government funds, but it was cancelled by the previous government under Pakatan Harapan (PH) in 2018.
“I re-approved the project again in 2019, but it was delayed due to Covid-19, and this year, the project will continue to be implemented,” he added.
Apart from that, Wan Junaidi, who is also the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, revealed he has requested the Public Works Department (JKR) to implement the project as soon as possible.
He expressed belief that the completion of this project will provide newer and bigger economic opportunities for the locals here. — DayakDaily
