Community leaders can now monitor projects through Bill of Quantities – Uggah
KUCHING: Community leaders in Betong can now closely monitor the implementation of development projects in their areas.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said all approved projects would be accompanied by the Bill of Quantities (BQ) which the community leaders can refer to.
He explained that by doing this, the community leaders can avoid being short-changed in project implementation since the BQ is a detailed document containing all the project specifications and scope of work prepared by the relevant government department or agency.
According to Uggah, Betong is believed to be the first place in the state where community leaders are empowered to do such monitoring.
“With the document, the community leaders could help the government to ensure the implementation follows all the specifications stated.
“So we can avoid any shoddy work which can be a source of unfair grievances against the government. (This is because) there have been cases of projects being poorly implemented,” he said when officiating the closing of Mountain Bike Carnival organised in conjunction with the Ulu Paku Carnival at the compound of Rh Francis Nyanggau in Ulu Penom, Betong on Sunday evening.
Also present were Betong member of parliament Robert Lawson Chuat, Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap, Science Advisor to the state government Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and Betong Resident Friday Belik.
Uggah also said that if any contractors were found not following the specifications, the community leaders could raise the matter with the District Office or their elected representatives.
“We want to have transparency in the implementation of all our rural transformation projects.
“We want to empower the community leaders in the implementation,” he added.
On the Ulu Paku Carnival, he said it is in line with the wishes of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to see rural folks earn extra source of income through community festivals.
He explained this was why the state government was encouraging and supporting district and sub-district level community festivals in order for the folks to have opportunities to uplift their living standard.
“Our rural folks are rubber, oil palm and pepper farmers. But with the festivals, they can participate in business opportunities by selling food products, handicrafts or offering homestay packages,” he said.
Uggah said such festivals too were opportunities for the rural folks to foster closer unity and harmony among themselves.
“We must zealously guard our racial unity and harmony for they are our pillars of strength.
“Our rock solid unity, harmony and support of the state government will allow Abang Johari to focus on his task of looking after the state’s rights and interests,” he said.
At the function, Uggah, who is also Bukit Saban assemblyman, distributed Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) grants totalling RM6.5 million for 44 projects to local community leaders, schools and associations.
He also gave away prizes to winners of the mountain bike race which attracted 67 riders, including one from Sabah and one from Australia and three national cyclists from the Police team and from Terengganu.