SIBU: Sibu Member of Parliament, Oscar Ling Chai Yew, is utilising the MADANI Government’s Program Mesra Rakyat to upgrade the Hock Ming Ferry Terminal here.
The wooden ramp section will be upgraded to a concrete structure.
On Thursday, Ling witnessed the handing over of the project by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to the contractor.
He stated that the project was expected to take three months to complete.
“The works include dismantling the old wooden jetty, laying the foundation, constructing the structure and paving the concrete terminal.
“Due to the high annual maintenance costs of the wooden jetty, it was decided to upgrade it to concrete to ensure the safety of the West Bank residents who frequently use the ferry,” he said.
He further explained that the funding for this ferry terminal upgrade project came from the Prime Minister’s Department’s Implementation Coordination Unit, with the DID in charge of execution.
According to Ling, the engineering drawings have been completed, and construction is scheduled to begin soon and is estimated to take about 90 days.
During the construction period, he said the Hock Ming Terminal would be temporarily closed and the public could use the two nearby ferry terminals or the Igan Bridge as alternatives.
“It is understood that the Hock Ming Ferry Terminal, located in the Malay Kampung Hilir area, mainly serves the residents of the rural villages on the West Bank.
“Since only small roads pass through the area, the ferry is limited to motorcycles only. The ferry operates from 4:30 am until it stops at 10:00 pm daily,” Ling added.
