Authorities asked to urgently fix damaged iron barriers along Jln Oya

SIBU (Aug 9): The relevant authorities should take immediate action to repair the damaged iron barriers along Jalan Oya for the safety of all road users.

Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Nangka branch chairman Penghulu Teo Ngee Poh said he received many complaints from the public on the damage, especially those staying at the surrounding areas.

“Many iron barriers on both sides of Jalan Oya are damaged and in need of immediate report.

“The road is crowded with vehicles every morning, so the damaged iron barriers pose a serious threat to motorists and especially motorcyclists,” he told reporters yesterday.

Also present were Kapitan Goh Kee Seng, Kapitan Tiong Siew Ping and Kapitan Tay Guan Boo.

According to Teo, several sections of the iron barriers along the road were damaged for quite some time but remained unrepaired.

“The situation might not be as bad if a car falls into the ditch, but if it involves a motorcyclist, the aftermath could be serious,” he said.

On the matter, Teo said he had met with the Public Works Department (JKR) on July 15 to look into the matter.

“I was told that the contract to repair the damage had been awarded to the contractor. However until now, the damage is yet to be repaired.

“For the safety of road users, this section should be repaired immediately without further delay,” he added.

Teo called on Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) to install safety tape along the damaged section in case there is a rise in water level, making the road less visible.

At the same time, he wants the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to find a solution to solve the stagnant water problem along Jalan Oya.

The drainage situation at Jalan Oya, he added, is similar to the one at Jalan Pahlawan, which needs urgent attention.

“SMC, JKR and DID should work together to find a way to solve the stagnant water or flash flood problems that often occur in the areas after heavy rain,” he said.

Touching on Jalan Kemuyang that leads to the garbage disposal centre, Teo also called on the relevant authorities to repair the damaged road immediately.

“We have met with a JKR engineer, who informed us that the damage to the road was caused by a Sesco contractor who was doing cable-planting work on the roadside.

“For the safety of the public, the party responsible for this road should repair the damage immediately.”

Meanwhile, he also called on the relevant authorities to repair the collapsed section at Jalan Oya Lama, particularly the area in front of the Rascom Camp at Mile 10, which collapsed on April 17 and had not been repaired since.