BETONG: The Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development is considering shortening the classification of sick projects from the current delay period of 100 days to just 30.
Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said under the Public Works Department’s (PWD) existing regulations, it could take action if an approved project is not actively implemented in 100 days.
“But we have discussed and felt that this 100-day duration is too long.
“So we are trying our best to see how we can reduce this to just 30 days,” he told reporters after performing two groundbreaking ceremonies for the upgrading of two road projects here today.
The roads are the RM16 million Mara-Selangking-Nanga Sela-Tanjung Paoh Road and the RM20 million Spaoh spur road.
He said if within 30 days, a contractor awarded a project was not seen to actively implement the project as scheduled, it simply meant the contractor is incapable of continuing with it.
Therefore, he said PWD can make the decision to terminate the contract which is deemed as early intervention on the affected construction.
“Our intention is not to make things difficult for the contractors.
“But it is our task to ensure all projects approved by our Premier are implemented based on schedules to meet the objectives of the projects.
“Like today, we have performed the ground-breaking ceremonies for two road upgrading projects.
“The people who use the roads will expect them to be completed as scheduled,” he said.
He appealed to the contractors to do their best to complete the work as scheduled if not earlier and meet the specifications.
Uggah, who is Deputy Premier, said when projects were implemented as scheduled, it would generate the local economy through spinoff effects.
He said when he first reported at the ministry, there were over 100 sick projects in the state.
“Now we have reduced these to only two sick projects,” he added.
On another issue, he said with increasing projects to implement, upgrade and maintain, PWD would need to strengthen its capacity and workforce.
“It needs 414 new officers and last year, it had managed to recruit 60.
“A balance of 354 will be recruited this year,” he said.
According to Uggah, the Premier has indicated that Sarawak is projected to increase its budget to RM20 billion.
“With this huge budget, there is obviously the need for PWD to increase or improve on its capacity and capability in the implementation process.
“After all, there are still areas where roads need to be built, upgraded and maintained.
“So I hope PWD will continue to study how it can upgrade its manpower and facilities in order to give world class services,” said Uggah.
