Masing (centre) fields questions from the press. Seen from left are Paulus and Lee.
MIRI: The state government is inviting the private sector to carry out a project to deepen Miri Port in Kuala Baram, to enable more vessels to make use of the port.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing said the river channel was too shallow (about three metres deep during high tide and one metre deep during low tide.
“The state government has decided not to fund and carry out the project while the federal government is reluctant to do it. So we would like to invite the private sector to carry out the project which is estimated to cost RM679 million,” he said.
He added that the initial project was to deepen the channel by at least eight metres to enable bigger vessels to go through and utilise the port, thus boosting the local economy.
Masing told reporters this at a press conference which was held during his working visit to Miri Port Authority in Kuala Baram yesterday.
According to him, all the technical and research parts of the project had been done but the long overdue project was not carried out due to lack of funds from the government.
“However, we see this project as very important. Therefore, I would like to invite the private sector to carry out this project,” he said, adding the project would take about two and a half years to complete once it was launched.
He admitted that the current capacity of the port, which is only capable of receiving about 30 per cent of vessels, was insufficient.
The rate should be increased by deepening the river channel.
MPA chairman and Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang; Assistant Minister for Land and Air Transportation and Safety Datuk Lee Kim Shin; Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting and MPA general manager Shebli Hairani were also present at the press conference.