Repairs to bridges, roads: Uggah wants better mechanism

MIRI: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas wants an efficient mechanism to ensure the smooth implementation of repairs to dilapidated bridges and logging roads in the Baram area and Miri division.

He emphasised the need for such mechanism to facilitate work on three pilot packages, each allocated RM5 million, specifically for Baram.

It is aimed at refining and improving current procedures to ensure efficiency and speed in repair work.

“Bridges in the hinterland, such as the critical Tutoh bridge, are a significant concern. We must undertake repairs during the dry season to avoid complications from the monsoon rains,” Uggah explained.

“This pilot project in Baram is crucial to understand and improve our approach before extending it to other regions such as Kapit and Murum,” he added.

Uggah disclosed this on Monday after attending a meeting on project monitoring by the Public Works Department together with the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) elected representatives in the division.

Uggah stressed the importance of completing approved projects on schedule, acknowledging existing delays and challenges.

He also highlighted the necessity to identify villages and longhouses not yet connected by roads within each state constituency.

This data is essential for long-term infrastructure planning, particularly under the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, which prioritises infrastructure development.

The (Sarawak) government has also approved a maintenance mechanism for former logging roads, now partially implemented.

“We need to assess and improve this mechanism to ensure regular maintenance, especially during the monsoon season, when roads often become impassable,” Uggah stated.

“We aim to refine our mechanisms through this pilot project in Baram. Once proven effective, we will expand these efforts to other regions in Sarawak facing similar challenges,” Uggah concluded.

Key officials presentincluded Minister of Transport Sarawak Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, Deputy Minister of Public and Housing Datuk Dr. Penguang Manggil, Deputy Minister of Women, Family, Welfare, Community Well-being and Childhood Datuk Rosey Yunus, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, and Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau and Batam MP Datuk Anyi Ngau.