Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. — Photo by Chimon Upon

MIRI (Aug 5): A road maintenance mechanism testbed by the Public Works Department (JKR) revealed a RM15 million allocation is insufficient to deal with the scope of urgent road and bridge repairs due to havoc wreaked by inclement weather in Baram.

The findings of this pilot project, which is divided into three packages costing RM5 million each, was presented at a project monitoring and coordination meeting for the Miri Division today.

“This pilot project was launched in Baram to deal efficiently with roads and bridges affected by rainy season, where our Premier was to be addressed with a proper mechanism.

“However, there is much work to be done to redress the shortcomings in some projects which have been slightly delayed. We need to improve the mechanism first before we can introduce it to other places such as Murum,” said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas in a press conference after chairing a meeting involving Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) elected representatives in Miri.

He said in Baram, it was found the RM5 million allocation for each of the three packages was insufficient to cover the cost for road repairs undertaken by service providers, whereas red tape in bridge repairs requiring service orders to be issued by JKR needed to be addressed accordingly.

“This matter has to be taken seriously, as the severity of the impact of bad weather in Sarawak’s interior should not be underestimated.

“The incident of the Sungai Tutoh bridge in Baram being washed away by a flood and delays in restoration of this (lifeline) and its impact has been reflected in the many complaints on social media,” He said.

The bridge was swept away by raging flood in May 2021, and a new bridge was built and opened to public just before Christmas last year.

Uggah said there were also some bridges in Baram requiring urgent repairs, including one in Long San in Upper Baram, before the monsoon season.

“Our strategy is to try repair these bridges during the dry season,” he added.

On the meeting today, he said this is in line with the call by Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to ensure approved projects in the state are delivered according to schedule.

The minister said the meeting with GPS elected representatives provided useful feedback for his ministry and JKR on any delays or issues faced in projects implemented in their respective constituencies.

He said the information presented at this meeting would provide data for a bigger picture of the number of villages or settlements yet to be connected by roads and enable the government to come up with a proper connectivity plan.

Also attending the meeting were Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development (Infrastructure Development); Senadin assemblyman Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin; Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala; Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau; Marudi assemblyman Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil; Bekenu assemblywoman Datuk Rosey Yunus; JKR Sarawak director Dr Cassidy Morris and Miri Divisional Engineer Stephen Ng.