Miri in need of more economic infrastructure projects — Chai

MIRI: Miri city needs more infrastructure projects which could serve as economic catalyst to generate more income for the city and its people.

Chairman of United People Party (UPP) Pujut branch Bruce Chai said such economic based infrastructure projects would help to make Miri as competitive as other areas in the state.

“We in Northern Sarawak of Miri also long for more infrastructure projects which would bring the much needed economic catalyst for us as a city to be as competitive as other cities and towns in Sarawak,” he told the media here yesterday.

Chai, who is also UPP’s central organising secretary, was alluding to a statement by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing on Friday on the possibility of building a sea port at Tanjong Po in Kuching.

“The UPP Pujut Branch welcomes and is very delighted that the state’s infrastructure is being positively pursued.

“All and any infrastructure projects that bring benefit to the state and its people are viewed as a move in the right direction and should be fully supported by the people.”

However, he noted that one such infrastructure project which had been postponed for many years was the proposed Kuala Baram channel breakwater serving Miri Port as the only waterway access to the Inland Port Facilities.

He said Kuala Baram channel project was the 2nd Phase of a Master Plan to make Miri Port as the Northern Economic Sea Gateway for Miri, Baram, Limbang, Lawas, and even its closest neighbouring oil and gas centres in Brunei Darussalam such as Kuala Belait and Seria.

Furthermore he added allowing access to larger vessels of up to 10 metre draft would help to further boost the shipping and economic activities in the city.

“Currently, the heavy siltation and geological delta area of Kuala Baram river mouth, the draft of vessels that are able to come in during high tide is limited to 3 metres.

“Thus, this problem has made Miri Port one of the most expensive destinations in the whole of Malaysia in term of Freight Tonnage Cost (Shipping Charges) because the port is unable to cater to larger vessels due to its shallow river mouth.”

Hence, larger vessels would have to discharge their cargo out at sea and transfer the cargo to barges which would then transport it to Miri Port.

“This is not only costly but consumes time and risks damages to cargo especially when sea conditions or weather is not favourable.

“Not many people may be aware that Miri is home to a world class ship-building industry which has built many specialised oil and gas industry vessels valued as a billion dollar industry during the height of oil prices.

“Now that there is a softening of the oil and gas industry, the ship-building Industry is also handicapped by the shallow draft of Kuala Baram channel. Many ship builders want to turn to other class (type) of vessels but due to the shallow channel their options are limited. Even an effort to attract other types of services like maintenance of rigs, accommodation barges, bulk carriers are restricted due to the shallow draft.”

“Miri has long endeavoured to grow and survive by being innovative and even overcoming great handicaps because of the logistical challenges it has faced over the years and it is time that the city gets its break now.

“The city has been a major contributor to the Malaysian economy as the centre of the oil and gas industry and now it is the time for the federal government to pay back Miri and its surrounding areas.Therefore, we strongly appeal to the state and federal governments to commit and make Kuala Baram channel (project) a reality for the benefit of the city, state and most importantly the people.”