Henry (second right) being briefed by site manager Tan Lip Kern (right) during the site visit.
BAU: The SMK Singai project is now 55 per cent completed after its construction was re-commenced by a new contractor since April 24 last year.
Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep, who visited the project site yesterday, said the progress of the school project was very encouraging and he was optimistic the school would be ready for student intake in 2019.
He also informed that the school, which can accommodate up to 1,500 students, will be a full boarding school and the fourth secondary school in Bau district.
“Within just more than 10 months, the progress of construction is now two per cent ahead of schedule. So far, the rate of completion is 55 per cent. This is a good record, and we intend to have the school ready for operation in 2019.
“Nevertheless, we hope the work can be expedited. If possible, to get it completed by end of this year so that we can get the school better prepared and equipped for the student intake in 2019,” he said.
The SMK Singai project has been long delayed since it was first launched by the then Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkasih at the school’s proposed site near Redeems centre at Kampung Apar on April 15, 2011.
The previous contractor commenced the construction in 2013 but could not complete the job by the scheduled completion date in April 2015.
The Education Ministry was left with no choice but to appoint a new contractor on a 24-month contract to resume the project starting April last year.
Despite the fact that the delay was caused by the failure of the first contractor and contractual procedures involved in continuing the project, the opposition camp in Tasik Biru turned it into an issue against Barisan Nasional (BN) during campaigning in the state election in May last year.
Henry, who won the seat for BN by defeating sole challenger Mordi Bimol from DAP, has vowed to honour his pre-election pledge to ensure and oversee the completion of the long delayed SMK Singai project.
He also informed that the construction cost is now more than RM36 million after the re-tender.
“Every month, I receive reports on the progress of the construction. I thank the architect, consultant, JKR (Public Works Department) and the contractor and consultant because they worked hard to ensure the smooth progress of this project.
“I believe that when this project is on its way to be completed, it will not be another hot issue for the coming parliamentary election or GE14 because we (BN) have proved that we are delivering the project,” he said.
He was also impressed with the workmanship at the site, and hoped that the close working relationship with the current contractor would ensure that the government allocation for this project is properly spent and utilised.
He also believed that SMK Singai as a full boarding school with a more controlled environment would minimise social problems and eliminate absenteeism among its students.
Accompanying Henry during the visit were officials from JKR and Bau district education officer Les Met.