KUCHING: All buildings damaged as a result of the ongoing work on the city’s Wastewater Management System are structurally safe, assured Sarawak Sewerage Service Department (SSD) director, Lau Hieng Ung, yesterday.
INSPECTION: Dr Soon (right) and Yong (second right) study a crack on the floor of a coffee shop at Jalan Ang Cheng Ho. — Photo by Johnathan Bullet
He said a survey and study carried out by the project contractor and consultants revealed that most of the damage were minor and superficial and did not have a bad impact on the main structures of the buildings.
“The private design consultants engaged by us for the project have said the same thing. As professionals, they dare not say anything unless they are 101 per cent sure,” he said during a dialogue with government agencies, project contractor and representatives of the affected property owners at a restaurant in Jalan Wee Kheng Chiang here.
He said the damage related to the project was covered by insurance.
Kumpulan-Nishimatsu-Hock Seng Lee Consortium is the contractor while consultants are Jurutera Jasa (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd and CH2M Hill, a US-based company with a branch in Singapore.
Assistant Housing and Urban Development Minister Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck and chairperson of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Kuching Branch Datuk Lily Yong accompanied by Lau and Hock Seng Lee executive director Simon Lau visited some of the buildings at Jalan Wee Kheng Chiang.
According to one of the affected property owners, Melvin Bong, 30, complaints had been made about the affected properties at Jalan Wee Kheng Chiang and Jalan Central.
Bong said many affected properties owners were unhappy and worried because they had yet to receive any report on the safety of their buildings.
Lau stressed that the number of complaints should not be used to measure the seriousness of the problem. Solutions were much more crucial.
So far, 13 complaints had been attended to. Repairs on two buildings had been completed; six are ongoing, while five are being surveyed.
“We really need cooperation from shop owners to schedule the time for the repair. So far they are very cooperative, 13 of them have allowed us to work on their properties. The work definitely will affect their daily business routines, but we need them to pick the best time for the repair work,” Lau said.
On safety, Simon said they could not release any report on it unless they had got clearance from the insurance companies concerned.
“We are not running away from our responsibilities. We are dealing with it together with the department. I assure you that we are in the process of rectifying the problems,” he said.
“We pay for all the repairs and restoration work. Even if an insurance company says it can’t pay us we have to do something,” he said without disclosing the amount the contractor had paid for the repairs so far.
Simon said they applied ISO standards on every complaint they received.
“We have a number for every complaint. We send our people together with departmental officers to inspect, analyse, and document the damage. And then we see how and when to rectify it.”
The project – Wastewater Management System for Kuching City Centre Package One – costing RM530 million was approved under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) and expected to be completed in four years.
The project was awarded to the contractor on Sept 30, 2008 while the work commenced on Oct 15.
Simon said the contractor had completed 70 per cent of the main shafts.
“Thirty-seven main shafts out of the 56 have been completed to date. Only two (at Jalan Wee Kheng Chiang and Jalan Central) have some problems,” he said, explaining that soil profile and age of the buildings were the main factors that contributed to the damage.
“We expected some damage but we don’t know the exact condition of the soil. However, we still try to minimise the damage,” he said.
Dr Soon was confident that the contractor would be fully responsible for any damage related to the project.
He said some repairs might start after the completion of the main shafts where soil conditions were more stable.
“For those who can’t wait, the contractor will go ahead and do the repairs. I think the company is very responsible. So the people need not worry.
“Structurally all the affected buildings are safe. If they have any doubt, they can contact the department,” he said.
Lau can be contacted at 019-8575151.