KUCHING: Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said construction of the Pan Borneo Highway in Sarawak in now 82 per cent complete.
He said four packages of the project namely in Telok Melano-Sematan, Nyabau intersection, Serian to Balai Ringin and Julau have already been completed.
“We hope all of the packages will be completed this year but there could be one or two packages which will encounter delays because we are now facing some challenges such as decreasing numbers of construction materials, the price increase for materials and also lack of foreign workers,” he said.
He said this during a press conference after the the opening of the Mile 10 flyover at Giant Mall parking space here, today.
He said the contractors as well as the Public Works Department (PWD) and the ministry are committed and working closely to ensure the project can be delivered by end of this year.
“Some of the packages which we expect to be delayed are below 80 per cent complete but there are no more major critical works involved,” he said.
Fadillah said the ministry is targeting that in five years they will be able to complete the remaining Phase Two of the Pan Borneo Highway and also the Trans Borneo Highway covering the bypass to Brunei.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic our border and Brunei’s border was closed owing to safety and health reasons and it caused Lawas and Limbang district to lose their connection to the rest of Sarawak.
“The people there could not go down to Miri and because of this we are committed to complete the highway so that such incidents will not happen again in future. And it is our responsibility to build main roads connecting the districts in Sarawak,” Fadillah stressed.
As to whether the ministry will continue the projects that have planned given the present state of the economy, he assured that the ministry will continue to implement the projects.
