Special unit to ensure completion of ‘sick’ projects — Ismail Sabri
KUCHING: A special taskforce has been set up to ensure the completion of 92 ‘sick’ projects which are mostly in the rural areas by end of this month.
This was disclosed by Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday, saying the incomplete or ‘sick’ projects dated back to 2010.
“There a re many i ssues that have led to the delay and late completion of the projects mainly related to electricity and water supplies as well as road construction,” he said while assuring that works for most of the projects had already started.
“For instance, the collapsed water tank in Pulau Bruit, allocation has been obtained and we are now in the progress of appoint ing a contractor. Construction is expected to begin in April,” he elaborated, and assured that all electricity supply projects would be completed by end of this month.
Ismai l Sabri was speaking at a press conference after the Rural and Regional Development Ministry’s Excellent Service Award ceremony for its staf f at Pullman Hotel here yesterday.
The taskforce is chaired by the ministry’s deputy secretary general Datuk Rahim Abu Bakar and involves various agencies in Sarawak like Public Works Department (JKR).
He had earlier pointed out that “more projects or allocations approved did not mean anything” if they could not be successfully completed or realised.
“It i s on ly suc c e s s f u l implementat ion that wi l l allow the people to receive the maximum benefits,” he said.
On a not he r mat t e r, h e stressed on the importance o f c ommu n i c a t i o n a n d collaboration between agencies and departments to ensure the ef fective implementation of projects and efficient service delivery.
“Network, interaction and exchange are very important to enhance unity and foster closer ties in order for us to carry out our work smoothly and fulfil our responsibilities towards meeting the needs of the people,” he stressed.
“Our ministry is very close to the people and the people have high hopes on us to bring solutions to their problems, especially in implementing government projects,” he said.
With RM5.4 billion allocated for
For instance, the collapsed water tank in Pulau Brui, allocation has been obtained and we are now in the progress of appointing a contractor. Construction is expected to begin in April.
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Rural and Regional Development Minister
rural and regional development under Budget 2016, Ismail Sabri pointed out that 26 per cent of the amount was for Sarawak especially for its rural areas which were still lacking in many aspects of development.
When asked if the sudden move to speed up works to complete the 92 ‘sick’ projects was due to the upcoming election, he said they had to be done, election or not.
Meanwhile, he assured that Majlis Amanah Rakyat ( Mara) would continue to provide study loan and sponsorship for students to pursue tertiary education abroad but said emphasis would be on getting students to study locally.
“Beginning from this year, Mara will reduce the number of students to be sent overseas,” he said, responding to Mara’s decision to review its study loan and sponsorship policy early this year.
“More over, Ma ra’s own university is set to open its door soon,” he added, encouraging students to continue t heir studies locally.
He also disclosed that Mara was looking into twinning prog rammes with forei gn universities to give students the option to complete their final year overseas.
Also present were Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi as well as heads of various departments and agencies.