Spotlight on high impact projects

BINTULU: Sarawak has formed a State Development Coordination committee to monitor the progress of all high impact infrastructure and amenity projects.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday said he had announced and approved 309 such projects under his Walkabout Projects with an allocation of RM5.7 billion.

“These are people-centric projects and include the construction of roads and bridges, social amenities and the provision of treated water and power supplies.

“They are high impact projects and will improve the livelihood of our people especially in the rural areas.

“Their implementation too will create business and employment opportunities besides stimulating the state’s economic growth,” he told a press conference after chairing its third meeting here.

Abang Johari said as such it was very important that they were implemented and completed as scheduled.

He said he would chair the committee while its members were all state cabinet members and heads of government department.

“I must say that in the first two meetings held in Kuching on July 20 and August 29 this year we have resolved many issues.

“We have improved the Standard Operating Procedure to accelerate the implementation process,” he said.

Abang Johari also said the state too had developed a new mechanism for project management that would ensure speedy project implementation and compliance with good governance practices.

Meanwhile, he added the tenders for most projects had been advertised by the relevant agencies.

“Most of them will be awarded to successful tenderers this December to January next year.”

He further said since becoming chief minister 18 months ago he had visited 187 locations including those in rural areas, where he had announced the approval of these projects. - Bernama