KUCHING: A total of RM7.7 billion has been allocated for 80 physical development projects under the implementation of the Public Works Department (PWD) in Sarawak for this year.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the projects include the pre-contract and initial works phases valued at RM3.2 billion, with construction phases amounting to RM4.5 billion.
In addition, he said RM152 million has been allocated specifically for the maintenance of federal roads in Sarawak this year.
This budget, he said, covers routine and periodic maintenance tasks such as pavement and non-pavement works.
“This is for maintenance, not development projects. It involves scheduled pavement works, non-pavement works, street lighting, bridge maintenance, special allocations for district engineers, and routine maintenance.
“The allocation does not include development projects but is solely dedicated to road maintenance,” he told a press conference after the handover ceremony of two simultaneously completed projects for dilapidated schools at Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Haji Baki here today.
On the same note, Nanta revealed that 97.2 per cent of the projects managed by PWD nationwide have been successfully completed, indicating a high level of project execution.
“This means we are carrying out our projects with excellence. Only 2.8 per cent of the projects are classified as ‘sick projects,’ which refers to those experiencing significant delays or issues.
“This small percentage is negligible in comparison, and the status changes from time to time,” he said.
He said a special committee has been established to investigate and understand the root causes of the ‘sick projects’, adding that achieving zero ‘sick projects’ will take time, as each case varies.
“We are also working closely with the contractors to address the problems causing these delays. In most cases, contractors face financial difficulties.
“There is a timeline to achieve zero sick projects, but it’s handled on a case-by-case basis because the problems are not the same,” he said.
