Contractor of Balingan Bridge-Kuala Balingian road project urged to make up for 30 pct delay ahead of Sukma Games

Aidel (third right) together with JKR officers during a visit to Kuala Balingian on Jan 23, 2024. Photo credit: Ukas

BALINGIAN, Jan 24: The contractor undertaking the ongoing road project from Balingian Bridge to Kuala Balingian, currently facing a 30 per cent delay, has been urged to develop a catch-up plan to complete the upgrading works before the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) scheduled for August.

Emphasising the critical role of this road, which is one of the coastal road project packages, Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Ir Aidel Lariwoo stressed the importance of its timely completion to facilitate the smooth movement of athletes from Bintulu to Mukah, where the division is set to host three sporting events during Sukma.

Thus, he urged Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, as the implementing agency, to take decisive action in monitoring contractors who are falling behind schedule.

“If this road is not ready, it will be difficult for athletes to get to their intended destinations.

“We hope JKR will take appropriate action to ensure that the contractor can complete (the project) according to original target,” he said in a news report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) today.

Aidel expressed this concern during in a press conference following an official working visit to Kuala Balingian on Tuesday (Jan 23).

The Sadong Jaya assemblyman instructed JKR Sarawak to push the contractor involved to prepare a realistic catch-up plan that can be effectively implemented.

In the event of continued failure by the contractor, he advised JKR Sarawak to initiate a termination review to assess the contractor’s ability to proceed with the project.

Meanwhile, Aidel expressed satisfaction with the progress of two other projects in Balingian, namely the road upgrading from Kuala Balingian to Kuala Serupai and the upgrading of the roundabout in Balingian, which are ahead of schedule.

“We are very optimistic that the contractors will be able to complete them soon, (which is) by this year based on the schedules or perhaps ahead of the actual schedule,” he added.

In total, 23 upgrading packages have been implemented by the Sarawak government for the coastal road project spanning Kuching to Miri.

Mukah Division has a significant part of the longest coastal road package, involving eight upgrading packages, including three in the Balingian area.

Also present at the press conference was Balingian assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi. — DayakDaily