Hishammuddin (squatting in front) officiates at the opening of phase 1 and 2 of Ba’Kelalan-Bario road. — Bernama photo
BA KELALAN: Using the army’s new construction method, the Defence Ministry has completed six Phase One interior road projects in Sarawak costing RM252.03 million.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the six road projects would have otherwise cost RM872.2 million to complete, using conventional construction method. That was a saving of RM620.17 million for the six interior road projects, he said.
“The six road projects benefit 81,400 people from 84 villages in Sarawak,” said Hishammuddin during the launch of the Phase One Jalan Ba’Kelalan-Bario project yesterday.
Construction of the Phase one Jalan Ba’Kelalan-Bario project (13km) began on Jan 9, 2013, at a cost of RM40.83 million. It was completed with savings of RM24.17 million as compared to the RM65 million using the conventional method. The road will benefit 1,200 people from nine villages.
Hishammuddin said the ministry was implementing five Phase Two road projects scheduled for completion this year. They comprise the upgrade of the logging road from Belaga to Nanga Merit, Kapit (130km); construction of village roads in Kuala Medalam, Kampung Kerangan and Kampung Ensungai, Limbang (18.5km); and the upgrade of roads in Niah Bekenu, Miri (16km).
Two more second phase projects to be completed this year are the Ba’Kelalan-Bario (21km), Limbang and a new road from Nanga Merit to Kapit (60km). — Bernama