KOTA KINABALU – It took three state administrations over four years to complete the skybridge here, with the project plagued by issues involving its developer and contractor.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor expressed relief that the RM31.5 million structure is finally completed, saying it is for the safety and comfort of residents and visitors.
“This is for all of us. It is an important infrastructure for Kota Kinabalu. Prior to this, there have been road accidents involving jaywalkers.
“I hope the bridge will resolve this,” he said during a visit to the skybridge today.
He said it will be ready for public use in a couple of days.
The state government injected an additional RM4.7 million into the project when its construction stalled, he said.
It is learnt that the developer became insolvent after 90% of the work was completed.
The bridge was initially funded by the Prime Minister’s Department via the Public-Private Partnership Unit.
An agreement on the project was inked between Putrajaya and Sunsea Development Sdn Bhd on Feb 9, 2017. Construction started on April 1 that year, with a six-month deadline, and completion initially slated for September 30, 2017. This was later extended to April 18, 2018.
However, Sunsea Development was issued a winding-up order on April 18, 2018, with contractor Petrofiq Sdn Bhd ceasing work on the project due to lack of payment.
Issues involving the bridge cropped up towards the end of Barisan Nasional’s rule in Sabah. The problem was then inherited by the Warisan-led state administration after it clinched power in 2018 and remained unresolved until now, when the state is under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah control.
Hajiji said one of the bridge’s entry points leading into a mall has yet to be completed, as the building’s owner refuses to allow the contractor to build the entrance.
“I was made to understand that the mall owners wanted to do it themselves.” – The Vibes, September 3, 2021
