KUCHING: The delayed stormwater drainage project for flood mitigation from Jalan Masjid right up to Sarawak River is expected to be completed by early December.
Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the project is now ahead of schedule following the appointment of a new contractor.
“The rescue contractor was appointed on Aug 1 and they are expected to complete the project within four months.
“The road paving work in front of the polyclinic at Jalan Masjid will commence this week and we are confident the project will be completed according to schedule,” he said to reporters after conducting a work visit to the project site at Jalan Masjid today.
The project spanning 515 metres will involve Jalan Masjid, Jalan Gartak, Jalan Gratak (Bus Terminal), Jalan Market and Lebuh Java.
Dr Abdul Rahman said the project was first awarded to the previous contractor by the Sarawak government through Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) at an initial cost of RM6.6 million.
“The project commenced on Jan 12, 2018 under the previous contractor and they were supposed to complete the project by Jan 12, 2019.
“However, they failed to complete the project and hence, their contract was terminated on Sept 20 last year.
“With that, a new rescue contractor was appointed and is paid an additional funding of RM2,950,000 to complete the project,” he said, adding that the rescue contractor is working day and night to speed up the progress of the project.
He hoped that once the project is completed by the end of the year, it would be able to overcome the issues of flash floods especially in Padang Merdeka and the surrounding areas.
