SPAOH: Construction work on the Bebuling Short Take-off and Landing Airport (Bebuling STOLport) project is progressing well according to Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.
But he said another, the Bukit Mabong STOLport project, has been put on hold.
During a visit to several major projects here, Uggah expressed his satisfaction with progress on the Bebuling STOLport, which has already seen a significant portion of the site cemented and the runway upgraded to 1.2 kilometers.
The project, which is expected to cost RM296 million, is set to be completed by January next year.
In contrast, the Bukit Mabong STOLport project, which is estimated to cost RM193 million, has been put on hold due to the lack of essential infrastructure in the area, such as roads, water and power supplies.
Uggah explained that the government is currently studying the conditions on the ground before proceeding with the project.
“We are still studying the conditions on the ground very closely. There is no road, no power and no water supply there now. So the strategy is to bring in all these first, then we can start to build it.
“As a matter of fact, under the Bukit Mabong District Office, there are a number of projects there, like the new district office and civil servant housing, but the area has no water or power supply,” he said during his visit to the site project on Saturday (March 25).
Uggah also visited the Spaoh bridge project, which is being constructed by the same contractor working on the Bebuling STOLport.
The contractor was appointed to rescue the previously struggling project, and Uggah expressed his confidence that the RM36.9 million project would be completed on schedule.
Uggah who is also the Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development said the contractor’s involvement in both projects will help reduce mobilisation costs.
He hoped that with fine weather expected soon, the contractor would take full advantage before the next monsoon season sets in.
Uggah assured the public that his ministry and the state Public Works Department (PWD) would continue to closely monitor all development projects in the Betong Division and statewide.
He warned that contractors failing to perform would face action to ensure the successful completion of projects.
Betong Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Richard Rapu accompanied Uggah on his visit.
