KUCHING, Dec 6: The contractor building the RM98.5 million Batang Rambungan Bridge here has been told to solve its cash flow and workers’ problems as soon as possible.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the project’s completion has been delayed for almost three years, including a halt due to restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The project is supposed to be completed on Dec 16 this year but the completion date has been revised to June 23 next year.
The project’s current physical progress is at 45.52 per cent against the scheduled 82.96 per cent.
“I have been briefed that the delay is caused by cash flow and workers’ problems. Please solve them soonest.
“The government will bear the brunt of the people’s dissatisfaction if this project continues to be delayed.
“The contractor too will be subjected to stiff penalty for non-compliance of the completion schedule,” he said during his visit to the construction site.
Also present were Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) permanent secretary Chiew Chee Yaw and Public Works Department (PWD) deputy director Cassidy Morris.
Uggah who is also the minister-in-charge of MIPD further said the contractor’s catch-up plan is extremely crucial as PWD has projected the bridge to be completed by the third quarter of 2024.
“The contractor would not be allowed to carry on if there was enough evidence to indicate it could not do so,” he stressed.
Construction on the 560-metre-long two-lane single carriageway bridge is being carried out by Precious Credence JV Gezhouba Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between a local company and a Chinese company. It is part of the Sarawak Coastal Road project.
Meanwhile, the upgrading works for the five roundabouts along the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway are progressing well.
Rescue contractor Glumox Abiz Sdn Bhd is now undertaking the works with the current progress recorded at 35 per cent against the scheduled 14.13 per cent.
The project costing a total of RM72.7 million is expected to be completed by Jan 10, 2024.
Uggah also checked on the progress of the upgrading works for Jalan Matang Baru Phase 2 (from Matang Jaya to Jalan Matang/Jalan Batu Kawa-Matang Junction).
Local company Mirecont Sdn Bhd has been given 18 months to complete the upgrades starting from Oct 28 this year.
The upgrading work will turn the present two-lane single carriageway to a four-lane double carriageway. — DayakDaily
