KUCHING: The Public Works Department (JKR) has been urged to resolve the delay in completing the 6th Mile and 7th Mile flyovers.
“If any issue or delay arises, it is incumbent for JKR to engage with the contractors to explore alternate ways to ensure this project is completed in a timely manner,” Michael Kong, the special assistant to Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, said today.
He mentioned that on Wednesday (July 6), he had raised yet another issue regarding the flyover at 6th Mile.
“On May 23, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusuf announced that the one lane of the 6th Mile flyover will be completed and open before July 2022.
“It is regretted that this is yet another empty word as the said one lane at the 6th Mile flyover did not materialise.
“On Thursday, JKR then issued a statement in reply to mine. It was claimed that the delay in completing the flyover at 6th Mile was due to the shortage of bitumen.
“As far as I know, Sarawak has a number of suppliers for bitumen. We have made enquiries to see if they have any stock for bitumen and the answer is yes,” he pointed out.
“Instead of issuing a press statement without verifying the facts or conducting necessary investigation, JKR should have double checked and taken the extra effort to verify with both the suppliers and the contractors instead.
“The construction of the 6th and 7th Mile flyovers affects every resident – from 6th Mile onwards, and any further delay would inevitably affect their lives.
“They should bear in mind that this is a project which has been ongoing for close to five years,” Kong said.
