Repair works on dilapidated schools in S’wak begin, says minister

KUCHING: The Education Ministry (MoE) and the state Public Works Department (JKR) are jointly involved in the refurbishment and repair works on 129 dilapidated schools across the state.

According to Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, schools constructed on federal land would be managed by MoE, while those constructed on state land will be under the state JKR.

“In total, there are 74 schools under the MoE and 55 schools under the state JKR. For Phase 1, works have commenced and contractors have until July to complete the works,” he told reporters in a press conference yesterday at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) – the hosting venue of the 14th Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Convention.

On Pan Borneo Highway development, Fadillah said the current R3 road linking all the major towns across the state are in poor condition, due to the active construction works going on.

“That is the challenge in building this mega project, as contractors have to build the road with live traffic.”

He added that there is no other way, in that lorries need to go over the road for construction works and as such, temporary repair is the only option for the damage such as potholes caused by the heavy machinery.

“Members of the public need to understand that the present R3 road, was designed more than 20 years ago. With the Pan Borneo being a R5 standard, we will have better and more comfortable journey,” he said.

On delays concerning the Pan Borneo Highway project packages in Sarawak, Fadillah said all are actually progressing well – except for three sections, which are slightly behind schedule due to the uncertain weather.