Service relocation delay, not contractor’s fault

SIBU: The 1.4-kilometer Jalan Oya project here is currently behind schedule, with the Land and Survey Department (LSD) citing complex underground service shifting and relocation works as the primary reasons, not the contractor’s performance.

In a statement from LSD, the project’s progress as of Thursday (Dec 21) reached 69.74 per cent, a slight deviation from the planned 71.51 per cent. The department stressed that this minor discrepancy is within manageable limits.

“The utility agencies have pledged to finish relocating the services by the first quarter next year. This commitment is key to meeting the revised road construction completion timeline of November 2024,” said LSD.

Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek, previously raising concerns about the project’s pace, announced intentions to discuss the matter with the implementing agency.

Originally slated to be completed by December 19, 2023, the project, which began on December 20, 2021, is still ongoing. This has sparked frustration among local residents, some of whom have expressed their dissatisfaction on social media. They specifically criticised the area’s elected representative for not ensuring the project adheres to its schedule.

In response, LSD reaffirmed their partnership with the utility agencies, emphasising their collective focus on relocating services meticulously and safely, prioritising public welfare.

To mitigate the delay, the department outlined a strategy involving a carefully planned sequence of relocation activities and the adoption of innovative construction techniques.