‘Ensure proper traffic management’
SIBU: Works Minister Baru Bian wants proper traffic management during the construction of Pan Borneo Highway, stretching from Telok Melano in southern Sarawak to Miri, in the north to safeguard the safety of road users.
He disclosed that a letter had been sent to the project delivery partners (PDP) that is LBU (Lebuhraya Borneo Utara Sdn Bhd) to carry out remedial actions.
“I have received a lot of complaints along the construction of Pan Borneo Highway in Sarawak, in particular, Selangau. There were complaints of traffic congestion, not enough road signage and occurrence of several accidents.
“For that, I have written to PDP that is LBU advising them to take the matter seriously because it is their responsibility to ensure proper traffic management and at the same time, that the safety of road users is being protected,” he told a press conference after his visit to SK Ulu Sungai Salim here yesterday on the rebuilding and upgrading of dilapidated school project using IBS for Sarawak (phase one) implemented by JKR Malaysia.
Baru, who is Selangau MP and Ba Kelalan assemblyman revealed that the letter was sent few days ago.
In this regard, he would be going down together with his team to check on the development.
“After this, I will be coming down at the end of this month on my own with my team from ‘pusat’ (federal) to see that this (improvement) is carried out,” he added.
“I am very concerned particularly, the reports from the ground because it concerns my ‘kawasan’ (constituency) Selangau. It is not only Selangau area but the whole stretch of the Pan Borneo Highway stretching from Telok Melano in southern Sarawak to Miri, in the north,” he stressed.
Asked on the type of actions if the situation has yet to be rectified, he said: “We have given advice to ensure this is being done. If they are not doing it right, please write to me, complain to me, complain to Ministry (of Works) if things are not done properly.
“I believe that once they receive this kind of letter – I am confident that they will take measures (to ensure safety of road users) because this is very serious matter,” he emphasised.
On Pan Borneo Highway, he said he had mentioned before that it is still on-going and that they are supervising to ensure that it is constructed in a proper manner and timely.
Baru said he would also check on the project at the Sabah side for updates.
For the record, Phase 1 of the 2,325km Pan Borneo Highway links Telok Melano in southern Sarawak to Miri in the north, and is slated for completion in 2021, while Phase 2 is to link up with Sabah.