Sarawak Rivers Board told to speed up repairs to Sarikei dock

SARIKEI: The Sarawak Rivers Board has been told get down to work and expedite repairs to Terminal One Sarikei dock to support the business activities of traders and daily routines of the public.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii stressed the need for the relevant authorities to prioritise and accelerate the maintenance work at the dock, which has been ongoing for a considerable period.

Following public complaints, Huang expressed concern over the slow progress of the maintenance project.

He subsequently sent representatives from the Service Centre, including Kapitan Ling Dien Yong and Community and Village Chiefs (KMKK), to conduct an on-site inspection.

They received a brief report from Mohamad Fadzli Noh, assistant port manager of the Sarawak Rivers Board Sarikei Division.

Previously, he had inspected Terminal One Sarikei and found that the “pontoon joint” and “gangway” were damaged. He urged the responsible parties to carry out maintenance work immediately.

Terminal One Sarikei was closed on Sept 19, 2023, for river dredging works, which are expected to last 10 months and end on July 18, 2024.

“The damaged ‘pontoon joint’ and ‘gangway’ need to be repaired first. The structural damage poses a safety threat to users, especially during the loading and unloading of goods.

“Terminal One Sarikei is a crucial dock in the Sarikei town area, frequently used by water transportation such as express boats and speedboats. Therefore, relevant authorities should focus on repairing the dock without delay, as postponing the project could endanger users,” added Huang.