Developer has to address technical, commercial, social challenges

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KUCHING: Asaljuru Weida Sdn Bhd has to address technical, commercial and social challenges in its commitment to redevelop Sarawak General Hospital, which was founded in 1870.

Project director Jason Ng said some of the technical challenges included demolishing existing structures within close proximity to the operating hospital, not to mention the relocation of existing utilities.

“While we have to address traffic congestion, there are also other challenges such as infection control measures and limited working hours,” he said at the company’s Lunar New Year open house at their site office here yesterday.

Ng said they could not carry out the works as they pleased given the need to bring down the noise level within the vicinity of the hospital.

He added that they also had to decant the existing laboratory.

In terms of commercial challenges, he said the government required the developer to opt for Industralised Building System (IBS) with limited manufacturers.

He added that the developer was also facing the lack of facilities and readiness of material supply in light of other ongoing mega projects such as the Pan Borneo Highway.

“We are also having difficulties in getting skilled (specialised) labour due to the fast-paced development in Sarawak, and securing construction work permits,” he said.

On traffic management, he said that improvement works had been done to access gates while temporary staff and general parking lots were being provided.

The developer has also engaged traffic wardens to ensure smoother traffic flow within and around the vicinity of the project site.

On top of that, large and clear signages have also been put up to keep the public informed of the construction works, Ng added.