MIRI: An allocation amounting to RM300 million has been approved by the state government to improve efficiency of the Miri Port to the maritime sector, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

Uggah, who is also Second Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, said port performance in an economy was crucial for trade competitiveness.

“The port is an artery to the economy, (Miri Port) sits on a 3,000-hectare industrial land and is not really developed because of the port problem,” he said when speaking at the Federation of Miri Division Chinese Association (FCA)’s Chinese New Year open house celebration here on Saturday night.

He further added that under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), a Port Master Plan Study would be carried out this year, with Miri Port Authority as its first project.

“We will try our very best to make it happen,” Uggah assured.

On another note, in response to Minister for Transport Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin’s request for upgrading and extending of three roads here, he said it would be proposed under the mid-term review for this year.

The roads are namely the link road from the Pan Borneo Pujut by-pass traffic light to Pujut Corner road roundabout to dual carriageway; Padang Kerbau road all the way to dual carriageway as well as the whole Jalan Cahaya.

“I was told that the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) needs to look at it,” he said.