Uggah vows to check all development projects on the ground to prevent delays

KUCHING (Aug 7): Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has vowed to regularly check on the progress of all development projects on the ground across the state.

He said this is to prevent any projects from being delayed, becoming ‘sick’ or ‘critically sick’.

In keeping with his pledge, Uggah, who is Infrastructure and Port Development Minister, embarked on a five-day ‘Turun Padang’ (going down to the ground) road trip starting with Miri division on Monday (Aug 5), Bintulu yesterday (Aug 6) before arriving in Balingian in Mukah today.

Joining him on the trip were Deputy Infrastructure and Port Development Minister Datuk Aidel Lariwoo, the ministry’s permanent secretary Datuk Chiew Chee Yaw and Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak director Dr Cassidy Morris.

Uggah said the trip has been “very educational, beneficial and informative” thus far.

“We are covering almost 80 per cent of the state area and my deputy Datuk Aidel had previously covered areas in Limbang and Lawas,” he told reporters after attending a briefing on the status of two road upgrading projects on the coastal road from Bintulu to Mukah at the sub-district office in Balingian.

He shared that he and his delegation had a very good engagement with elected representatives of rural constituencies under Miri and Bintulu divisions.

“They had given us feedback especially on the implementation of rural transformation projects in their respective areas.

“They also provided us with valuable information on what needed to be done in upgrading abandoned or inactive logging roads or building new ones as well as bridges and river crossings,” he said.

He said these data would be very relevant to his ministry and JKR in their future plannings so as to ensure a most comprehensive rural connectivity programme for Sarawak.

“We are, after all, aiming to be a developed region by 2030. But there are villages and longhouses still in need of roads such as in the interiors of Miri and Kapit in particular.

“We want them to be linked by 2030. Now we are moving forward to this colossal task,” he said.

On the issue of sick or critically sick projects, Uggah said the majority of these projects have been resolved, save for two state stick projects and three under the federal government.

“We maintain our earlier stand that we are going to be very strict on project deliverance.

“Contractors who fail to deliver will face stern actions including having their contracts terminated,” he warned.

He said Sarawak’s infrastructure sector had improved by leaps and bounds due to the strong and committed efforts of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government.

“For the record, we are in the midst of constructing a total of 16 bridges statewide costing RM4.9 billion, all funded by our own fund.

“Once these are completed, it will be a seamless travel from Kuching to Limbang without the need for ferry crossings,” he said.

On the state coastal road from Mukah to Bintulu divisions, Uggah said most of the construction packages of the 136.95 kilometer long have been completed.

He said this portion of the project cost RM1.614 billion to implement including three bridges namely the Paloh and Batang Igan bridges, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, and the Muara Lassa Bridge, which is expected to be ready by this year end.

“Upon its completion, motorists travelling along the stretch will no longer need to use ferry crossings as well,” he added.

On the two stretches along this road which needed to be upgraded, he said JKR had agreed to set aside a sum of RM16 million.

“Work is expected to commence as soon as a contractor is appointed,” he said.

Uggah continues his trip tomorrow to Kapit and Sibu before arriving in Sarikei on Friday.