KUCHING: The Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development, Sarawak (MIPD) and the state Public Works Department (PWD) are working together with contractors to resolve the issue of delayed projects caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said this was to allow them to complete their projects as scheduled and to ensure project specifications are not compromised.
Citing an example of the delayed RM223.6 million and 870 metre long Batang Lupar 2 bridge here, he said the project is behind 96 days’ schedule in construction due to worker shortage.
“This bridge by Naim Gamuda (NAGA) Joint Ventureship was initially scheduled for completion by November 24 this year but has been projected for completion on February 28, 2025.
“We are cognisant of the fact that during the pandemic, foreign workers weren’t allowed to enter the country. Moreover, countries like China and Indonesia had initially adopted a closed door policy but are slowly opening up.
“With that, the Sarawak government has formed a special task force to ensure all applications for foreign workers are speedily processed so that the problem can be solved,” Uggah said after visiting the construction site of the bridge near here ,yesterday (Mar 2).
On another matter, Uggah pointed out that the state government has the Variation of Price (VOP) policy to help contractors recover form the price surge of construction materials due to the pandemic.
It is very important that contractors, including road contractors, play their respective roles in ensuring that they can deliver on schedule and with the expected quality.
“Now, we have a total of 10 bridges that we are building along our coastal highway. Hence, the MIPD and the PWD will be monitoring their construction closely,” he said.
Meanwhile, touching on the Batang Lupar 2 bridge, Uggah said he had a fruitful discussion with the contractor’s representatives during the visit.
“They have identified their main problems where they need workers along with some construction materials… otherwise they are quite ready to get back to their momentum to reach the projected level,” he said.
