Sarawak to fast-track infrastructure projects in rural areas of Baram

KUCHING: The Highland Development Agency (HDA) will prioritise the development of urgent primary infrastructure such as roads and bridges in Sarawak's Baram area, says Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

The Sarawak Deputy Premier said this was important to integrate rural areas into the mainstream of the state's development.

"This integration can only be achieved by expediting infrastructure connectivity across the HDA area, which is currently still behind other parts of the state," he said in a statement on Wednesday (July 26) after chairing the agency's board meeting here.

Uggah said HDA had identified 29 infrastructure projects in addition to 19 water and two power supply projects.

Of these, eight projects have been completed while 12 are being implemented, 18 in tender documentation and 12 in the detailed design stage.

"HDA remains dedicated to advancing development projects and integrating socioeconomic programmes aimed at improving the rural folks' wellbeing and livelihood," he added.

Meanwhile, HDA regional director Semuel Belawan said the projects under implementation included the upgrading of the Long Lama-Logan Sibong road, which was ahead of schedule.

He said the RM66.8mil project was at 82.3% progress against its schedule of 58.7%, with a revised completion date of February next year.

Five other road projects are on schedule, which comprise upgrading works to the Long Laput, Long Silat, Long Tikan-Long Jekitan, Long Mekaba and Long Banga-Pa Dalih roads.

The construction of the RM6.2mil overhead power line and associated works to the integrated highland agriculture station site in Long Banga and the upgrading and construction of the Long Buang, Long Tujang and Long Wat spur roads are also on schedule.

Semuel also said three projects were delayed, including the RM11.1mil bridge crossing Sungai Layun at Long Kevok and the RM41.9mil Long Lama-Temala Junction main road and Uma Akeh spur road.

He added that the construction and upgrading of the RM21.1mil Long Atip and Long Bedian spur road was a critically delayed project.

"This is due to insufficient manpower and construction materials at the site, as well as poor performance by the contractor," he added.