MIRI, Feb 5: Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) is looking to further develop Miri’s oil and gas (O&G) industry, including on land.
This was said by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Federation of Miri Division Chinese Association’s (FCA) Chinese New Year open house last night (Feb 4).
He was represented by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who also read out his speech.
“With the setting up of Petros, we will explore how we can further develop the oil and gas industry in Miri, including on land.
“Miri’s oil and gas industry started on land in 1910 and moved offshore in the 1970s. Petros is planning to re-visit the potentials on land, apart from offshore activities,” he said.
Meanwhile, he also said the needs of the people of Miri are close to his heart and that one of the pillars under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 is social inclusivity.
He said that under the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), grants worth RM34.1 million have been presented for 234 projects in the Miri division from 2017 until 2022, with an additional RM9.7 million for 11 Projek Rakyat (People’s Project).
“Under the PCDS 2030, there are also several catalytic projects. Among them is the enhancement of port productivity and service efficiency in the State.
“In this respect, I have announced earlier my approval of a project to dredge and deepen and build training bunds on both sides of the Kuala Baram Access Channel leading to Miri Port Terminal,” he said.
He further elaborated that with a deepened and improved depth by five metres chart datum (CD) plus the tidal range of 2.0 to 2.5 metres, 70 per cent of vessels can ply the Kuala Baram channel, and Miri Port can handle container ships up to 1,000 TEUs (length 160 metres) as compared to the present 100 TEUs.
Abang Johari disclosed that an estimated sum of RM238 million had been allocated for this project, which will help to mitigate flooding problems in Marudi and the upper Baram areas.
“When completed, it will also be a new lifeline for more industrial activities, including the small- and medium-sized industries. This will contribute to lower shipping, transportation, and logistics costs which translate to lowering costs to the consumers,” he said.
Also present at the FCA’s Chinese New Year open house were Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Sri Lee Kim Shin; 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
