RM77.8 mln Passin-Jemoreng road project resumes

SIBU: The construction of a 19.3 km road connecting Passin to Jemoreng, benefiting nearly 200 households in the Sungai Passin area, has resumed after delays since 2020.

Daro assemblyman Safiee Ahmad said the RM77.8 million project, initially costing RM40.1 million, faced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic and contractor issues.

He said that the project was officially handed over to a new contractor on June 16 2024, with an expected completion time of 30 months.

“After it resumed (post-pandemic), we found that the contractor previously awarded the project had failed to carry it out, and the government eventually decided, through the Public Works Department (JKR) as the implementing agency, to terminate the contract,” he said when met by reporters after officiating at the river cleanliness campaign cum Ngiling Bidai ceremony at Rh Henry, Sungai Passin, here yesterday (July 3).

He said the government decided not to continue with an open tender process for interested contractors but specifically allocated the project to rescue contractors to ensure that the project is completed.

Meanwhile, on the Rural Electricity Scheme (RES), he said the project costing RM6 million, is 63 per cent complete and is expected to be finished by November.

“This means that the long-awaited dream of seven longhouses, a clinic, and a school enjoying a 24-hour electricity supply will soon be realised,” he added.

Safiee said the Sarawak government, through the Sarawak Digital Economic Corporation (SDEC) and Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), has completed the installation of telecommunication towers, which have been fully operational since April.

“Now, we see a significant change where we see that telephone services are fully available. Not only is the coverage complete, but it also provides 4G services,” he added.

He also said that the Sarawak government, through the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), has planned water supply for this area through the construction of the Jemoreng Water Treatment Plant costing RM30 million under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development.

“It is under federal government funding, and the ministry is in the process of appointing a consultant to implement the project, which is expected to start in the third quarter of this year and be completed in the last quarter of 2026,” he added.

With all the projects underway, Safiee emphasised that the residents in the area will enjoy basic amenities as those in urban areas.

Also present were a political secretary to the Premier, Romeo Christopher Tegong, Sarawak River Board (SRB) controller Lt Col Ding Tiew Wong and Matu acting district officer Zaraina Sahari.