KOTA KINABALU: Sabah must quickly resolve persistent problems involving water and electricity supply, roads, flooding and other basic needs by fast-tracking high-impact, low-cost projects, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic).
He urged ministries, departments and implementing agencies to fast-track “low-hanging fruit” projects that could deliver results quickly, rather than allowing smaller but pressing problems to drag on.
Many of these issues directly affecting Sabahans were raised during the recently concluded state legislative assembly sitting, he said.
“While mega projects are important for long-term growth, these ‘low-hanging fruit’ or strategic catalyst projects can deliver immediate impact that the people and the government can feel within a shorter period,” Hajiji said.
He also ordered obstacles holding up smaller development projects to be resolved immediately, stressing that projects must be completed on schedule as the public expected improvements without unnecessary delay.
Hajiji said this when chairing the state Development Action Council (MTPNg) meeting at Menara Kinabalu here on Monday (Aug 10).
“I call on all ministries, departments and implementing agencies to strengthen their commitment further, enhance cooperation and improve strategic coordination to ensure that every development project is implemented efficiently, systematically and according to stipulated schedules,” he said.
Hajiji said MTPNg meetings must be fully utilised to identify solutions and drive action, rather than merely discuss implementation problems.
He said issues affecting projects should be tackled proactively so that development initiatives could deliver tangible improvements to the state and its people.
Meanwhile, Hajiji said the state government would continue strengthening strategic cooperation with the federal government to ensure national development initiatives in Sabah were implemented efficiently and effectively.
He said policies, programmes and development projects must ultimately translate into tangible benefits for Sabahans.
To achieve this, he said ministries, departments and implementing agencies must strengthen inter-agency cooperation and communication while improving the sharing of information and best practices.
“I am confident that through strong commitment and synergy, we will be able to ensure that every development project is completed, thereby accelerating Sabah’s progress while improving the well-being and quality of life of the people,” he said.
