Delay in projects announced by PM caused by several factors — Uggah

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Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah

KUCHING: Land acquisition, problematic contractors and technical issues are among the main reasons for the slight delay in several federal projects announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during his walkabouts in the state.

While the percentage of delays is at a mere two per cent, the government is looking at ways to ensure that every delayed project is remedied, and strict action will be taken against contractors failing to complete their projects promptly, assured Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah.

The Betong MP also said no contractor would be spared from action and contracts of those who failed would be terminated.

“There will be time that we will terminate the contracts of those who fail as the last resort, but we will give opportunity to sort out the problems first,” he said.

Uggah, however, pointed out that none of the contractors involved in the projects have had their contracts terminated at the moment.

He was speaking at a press conference after chairing a meeting with representatives of several related government agencies and departments before visiting the site of Batang Sadong bridge and Tambirat Water Supply project.

Out of the 342 projects in Sarawak, he said, 256 or 74.85 per cent were completed as of Sept 19, with 58 or 16.96 per cent on-going.

“There are another 28 projects or 8.19 per cent which are yet to be started but we are sure that the remaining projects should kick start by year-end,” he said, adding that several of them would be included in the Third Rolling Plan.

Stressing that fund was not an issue as it was allocated by the federal government, Uggah pointed out that it was the Barisan Nasional’s wish to see all the projects completed on time to benefit the public without delay.

When asked on the sites that he would be visiting in the near future, Uggah said he would be visiting Pulau Bruit and Lapok in two weeks’ time.

Responding to a question, he admitted that residents of a longhouse in Sibu which was burnt down several years ago had not received assistance.

A national daily had reported that Uggah showed a newspaper cutting on the incident to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during the cabinet meeting several days ago.

“He (Najib) had asked me to provide further details on the issue and assures of a programme to assist those who were affected,” said Uggah.