MIRI: The Miri Port Authority (MPA) has been selected by the Sarawak government to conduct a review of the Sarawak Port Master Plan.
The goal is to make it possible for the agency to serve as a trade gateway for the northern region and to offer effective port services.
MPA chairman Paulus Palu Gumbang said the study began early this month.
“Among them, the MPA board of directors and management has briefed Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari on the proposal to deepen the Kuala Baram Access Channel.
“At the briefing, the Premier approved the implementation of the project and advised MPA to continue financing the project through commercial loans,” Paulus was quoted as saying in a news report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS).
He was speaking during MPA’s Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year gathering at a local hotel, here yesterday (Jan 18).
Paulus, who is the Batu Danau assemblyman, believed that the high commitment and hard work shown by the board of directors, management and staff would enable MPA to obtain a commercial loan and start the project by the middle of this year.
He said that the project, when completed, will be a catalyst for economic growth in Miri and the northern region of Sarawak in particular.
“Once the constraints of the shallow access channel are resolved, the MPA will also be ready to play the role of the main catalyst of economic growth for Miri effectively.
“Next, MPA will also support various industries such as oil and gas, palm oil, ship construction and repair and woodworking,” he said.
At the ceremony, the authority also presented the 2022 MPA Outstanding Service Award to 10 recipients.
Also present were MPA general manager Serawa Budol and members of the MPA board of directors.
