KUCHING: The Highland Development Agency (HDA) is placing a strong focus on the development of primary infrastructure, particularly roads and bridges, which are urgently needed in the Baram area.
Chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, stated that HDA has identified 29 projects related to roads and bridges, in addition to 19 water projects and two power supply projects.
“Eight have already been completed, 12 are currently under implementation, 18 are in the tender documentation stage, and 12 are undergoing detailed design,” he said on Wednesday (July 26) after chairing HDA’s sixth board meeting here.
He stressed that HDA remains dedicated to advancing development projects and integrating socioeconomic programmes aimed at improving the wellbeing and livelihood of rural communities.
He highlighted the importance of devising a comprehensive strategy to integrate the rural sectors into the mainstream of state development, which can only be achieved by expediting infrastructure connectivity in the HDA areas, which are currently lagging behind other regions.
During the meeting, HDA regional director Semuel Belawan provided updates on the projects under implementation. He noted that the upgrading of the existing Long Lama to Logan Sibong Road is ahead of schedule, with 82.31 per cent completion against the scheduled 58.68 per cent.
“The projected revised completion date for this RM66.794mil project is set for February next year. Additionally, five other road projects are on schedule, including upgrading works to the Long Laput Road, the Long Silat, Long Tikan/Long Jekitan, and Long Mekaba Roads, and the Long Banga Junction to Pa Dalih Road.
“The construction of the new overhead power line and all its associated works to Integrated Highland Agriculture Station Site 3 in Long Banga costing RM6.226mil and the upgrading and construction of Long Buang, Long Tujang and Long Wat Spur Roads are also on schedule.”
However, there are some delayed projects, including the construction of a single-lane bridge crossing Sungai Layun at Long Kevok costing RM11.078mil, the upgrading and construction of the Long Lama-Temala Junction main road, and the Uma Akeh spur road, together costing RM41.921mil.
“Another delayed project is the RM119.700mil upgrading work of Long Selaan and Long Moh roads,” he said.
Semuel also mentioned that the construction and upgrading of the Long Atip and Long Bedian Spur Road, costing RM21.124mil, is critically delayed due to insufficient manpower, construction materials and poor contractor performance.
The meeting was attended by Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, who is the advisor to HDA; Mulu assemblyman and Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring), Datuk Gerawat Gala; Baram MP Datuk Anyi Ngau, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, Recoda chief executive officer Datuk Ismawi Isumi and HDA board members.
