BETONG, June 19: Contractors undertaking new road construction projects in Sarawak should not rely on old and beat-up machinery prone to frequent breakdowns.
Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also the state Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, said this would result in wasted time due to machine repairs or waiting for spare parts, leading to unnecessary delays.
“People will question the integrity and seriousness of contractors to complete projects that had been awarded to them when their machines suffer frequent breakdowns,” he said.
He was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony to upgrade the Penyulok/Nanga Penebak/Ulu Penebak Road in Ulu Layar here today.
He said the State Public Works Department (JKR) had been told to strictly monitor the progress of road contractors’ works and to not hesistate in terminating contractors who fail to adhere to the work plan, scope and schedule.
“This is to prevent any project to end up delayed or even critically delayed,” he said, adding that when projects are delayed, the people will point the finger at the government and the area’s elected representatives.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Betong, Dr Richard Rapu, who also spoke at the ceremony, said the upgrading of the road was part of the government’s continued efforts to improve the infrastructure in the rural areas of Sarawak.
The RM15.3 million project comprises the upgrading of a 4.83-kilometre stretch to JKR R1 standard road, complete with solar-powered street lighting and set to be completed by the end of next year. -TVS
