Fadillah (front, third right) accompanied by contractors during the site inspection.
BINTULU: A special committee comprising the state secretary, representatives of the federal government, enforcement agencies and related departments will be set up to address rising issues concerning the Pan Borneo Highway project.
According to Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusuf, the committee will help resolve problems especially those involving land acquisition and relocation of utility facilities — both cited as being the key factors for delays affecting several parts of the project.
“Apart from the committee, we also would like to urge contractors involved in the project to keep close contact with the Land and Survey Department and also the utility companies,” he told reporters after visiting the Mukah-Sungai Buluh overtake lanes and the Bakun-Nyabau junction of the under-construction Pan Borneo Highway yesterday.
He pointed that such close contact would enable any issue to be resolved quickly, especially on the relocation of utility facilities.
On a related matter, Fadillah noted that the Kanowit-Kapit Road – another federal project under the state Public Works Department (JKR) – was progressing smoothly, with the 9.6km ‘missing link’ between Ngemah and Nanga Temelat having been approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).
“The section is still awaiting tender, which is expected to be issued in July,” he said, adding that the other sections had been completed.
Earlier, Fadillah was briefed on the Bakun-Nyabau junction between Bintulu and Miri, which was the first package of the Pan Borneo Highway development.
So far, the project’s progress is at 3.59 per cent — 108 days behind schedule due to several issues arising from land acquisition exercise involving the locals.
As the result of the delay, the project which was initially scheduled for completion on Oct 29 next year, is now expected to be ready on March 29, 2018.