Marine Dept holds second briefing on dredging works at KPA
KUCHING: Sarawak Region Marine Department held a second public briefing on the capital dredging works at Kuching Port Authority (KPA), Pending Terminal yesterday.
According to the department, the first briefing was held in April 18 last year.
KPA chairman Dato Awang Bemee Pengiran Ali Basah started the briefing by emphasising the benefits of the capital dredging to the local shipping community including time, cost savings and navigational safety, said a press release by KPA yesterday.
He said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had reiterated the importance of having efficient and modern ports for Sarawak economic development.
The state government has allocated RM8 million for the feasibility study of a deep sea port at Tanjung Po and RM30.5 million for the implementation of Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) to enhance vessel traffic management along the Sarawak River.
“Dredging works which
Dredging works which began in November 2017 was scheduled for completion on Nov 22, 2019. However, due to the monsoon season and other mitigating circumstances, the new deadline for the completion is June 10 this year by which time the navigational channel will have a constant draught of nine metres at low tide over 43 kilometres.
KPA press release
began in November 2017 was scheduled for completion on Nov 22, 2019. However, due to the monsoon season and other mitigating circumstances, the new deadline for the completion is June 10 this year by which time the navigational channel will have a constant draught of nine metres at low tide over 43 kilometres,” added the press release.
The briefing was chaired by Datuk Hazman Hussein, deputy director of Marine Department Malaysia and presented by project contractor Zaini Noor Mohamed from Integrated Marine Works Sdn Bhd.
Marine Department director for Sarawak Mohd Marzuki Brahim was also present to answer questions related to the matter.
Also present were Kuching Port board members Datu Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Datuk Dr Wahbi Junaidi, Asem Linkin, Dato Janang Bungsu and Milton Foo and representatives from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development Sarawak, Sarawak Rivers Board, Independent Oil Terminal, Sarawak Shipping Association, related government agencies and stakeholders from the local shipping and forwarding companies.