Ipoh sewerage upgrading project in final stages of completion, says Nizar

IPOH: The sewerage upgrading project in the city under Mangkubumi Sdn Bhd is in the final stage of completion, says Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

The Perak Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee said the project is at about 98% completion, with six of the eight ongoing works expected to be completed by November.

The projects are being conducted at Jalan Tambun, Lebuh Taman Ipoh, Jalan Kelab Golf, Jalan Othman Talib, Jalan Bijeh Timah, Jalan Batu Bungkal and Jalan Kamaruddin Isa.

Mohammad Nizar said the upgrading project which started on Nov 11, 2015 was initially scheduled to be completed on Sept 12.

He said the company has requested for an extension to complete the project six times.

“I was informed that they needed more time, which may be extended again until November,” he told a press conference in his office at the state secretariat building here on Tuesday (Aug 15).

"We have requested Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd monitor the project to ensure that the projects can be finished within the expected timeframe,” he said.

In January, Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said the Ipoh City Council would try to push for completion of the projects in time for Visit Ipoh Year 2023 and Visit Perak Year 2024.

Rumaizi had said in June that the council plans to take legal action against the company due to bad road conditions, with a notice already sent to them.

Mohammad Nizar said the city council was also considering taking back the deposits from the company.

“We agreed that the company did not do a good job in patching up the roads, so the city council might need to use the deposit to get the job done.

“We are aware that there have been plenty of complaints about the condition of the roads in the city and we agree with the city council that the quality of work done was bad," he said, adding that there was a lack of road work sign boards and traffic cones to alert motorists.

“This has led to many accidents being reported and the misconception that no work was being done by the contractor,” he added.