KOTA KINABALU – A total of 19 packages of the Pan Borneo Highway project in the state are still without allocation, while four will be finalised by next month, said Senior Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof today.
He said paperwork for the four packages will be handed to the ministry by next week and finalised by this month or the next.
The packages include the Tawau-Semporna Package 1 under Phase 2, Sandakan Mile 32-Moynod, Moynod-Sapi Nangoh and Sapi Nangoh-Sg Baoto.
Fadillah said allocation has been assigned to the four, along with 11 other road packages currently under construction.
On the 19 remaining ones, he said the ministry has received several proposals from the private sector.
“We hope to complete all the roadwork in Phases 1, 2 and 3, but we have to be realistic as funds come from the federal government.
“The Finance Ministry will hold a study on the matter, and will come out with the best solution to find funds and complete Phase 1, while Phases 2 and 3 (will be completed) in the coming years,” he said, after inspecting the site of the project’s Kimanis interchange here.
Earlier, Fadillah said the overall progress of the project is behind schedule due to, among others, Covid-19 lockdowns, utility relocation issues and compensation.
The change of government has also played a role in the delay of the 11 packages, he added.
After Pakatan Harapan took federal power in 2018, he said the project delivery partner system was abolished and the project absorbed by the state Public Works Department.
When the Perikatan Nasional took over in February last year, Putrajaya formed the project management consultant to oversee the highway development, while working closely with the state Public Works Department, he added.
The RM14 billion Pan Borneo Highway project (Sabah’s portion) will be implemented in three phases, stretching a length of 1,236km.
Phase 1: Sindumin-Kota Kinabalu-Kudat, Ranau-Sandakan Mile 32, Sandakan Mile 32-Tawau (706km)
Phase 2: Tamparuli-Ranau (98km)
Phase 3: Tawau-Kalabakan-Keningau-Kimanis (432km)
In Sabah, the project will be done in 35 packages, with 11 packages in the midst of construction and 40.65% completed, four to be finalised and 19 waiting funding.
The cost of the project up until now is being funded by the federal government, and RM300 million has been approved for this year. Sabah Public Works Department has already used RM257,042.37. – The Vibes, April 8, 2021
