BAU: The first Bau-Lundu dual carriageway upgrading project has completed a 90 per cent land acquisition.
Deputy Transport Minister (River and Sea), Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said that the project went smoothly, with the government paying land compensation to affected owners and relocating utilities along the project site.
The primary issue is the relocation of utilities. We have large pipes, water pipes, and power supplies along the road. These cannot interfere with our community.
“If they are relocated, it should not affect the people’s daily life in Bau,” he said to the media after launching the Bau Gateway last night.
Earlier, Deputy Infrastructure Minister Datuk Aidel Lariwoo stated that the project involves the upgrading of the existing single carriageway (R5 standard of the Public Works Department – JKR) to a dual carriageway (U5 standard) for 3.65km at a contract sum of RM74 million.
He also mentioned that the dual carriageway is almost equivalent to the Pan Borneo Highway and leads directly from the Pan Borneo Highway to Bau Town.
“The construction works are a little slower because there are utility issues like water supply, electricity poles, telecommunication lines, and many residential houses involved with the road construction,” he said.
However, he believes the JKR is doing its best to liaise with the Land and Survey Department and the relevant utility authorities to resolve these issues.
Meanwhile, Henry, also the Tasik Biru assemblyman, said the Rural Transformation Project (RTP) in his constituency is also going smoothly.
“We adhere to the process whereby the Land and Survey Department determines the land and ensures there are no hindrances.
“If we proceed with the identification of sites, they can begin implementation. There will be some delay, but I don’t see any critical issues,” he said.
