Masterplan in the works to modernise riverine transport

SARIKEI: A new masterplan is being formulated to modernise the state’s riverine transportation system.

Assistant Minister of Transportation Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said the long-term plan will involve upgrading the present infrastructure throughout the state, which he described as “in a very pitiful state”.

“That is not only to ensure the safety of riverine transport passengers, but their convenience as well,” he told reporters during a visit to the Sarikei Express Terminal I yesterday.

He said the masterplan is necessary as riverine transport still plays a very important role in the state, despite improved road connectivity as well as air transportation services.

Dr Jerip said work on the masterplan is still in an early stage, requiring the views of consultants on various technical matters such as hydrology, soil, and water flow or currents.

“In other words, we are looking at what and how our future wharves or terminals ought to be,” he said.

He said as all facilities at the terminals would be modernised, passengers would also need to adapt to the new system.

Dr Jerip, who earlier attended a briefing at the Sarikei Resident’s Office on the maintenance of Terminal I, said RM850,000 has been allocated for repair works.

He explained that RM750,000 would go to replacing all the pontoons and a gangway, which collapsed a few months ago, while the remaining RM100,000 would be for dredging silt from the river at the terminal site.

He added maintenance work on Terminal I would begin with the handing over of the contract on Feb 7 and is expected to be completed by November.

All passenger boats would be required to use Terminal II during that period.

Among those accompanying Dr Jerip for the site visit were Sarawak Rivers Board acting controller Abang Mohammad Abang Naili; Sarikei Deputy Resident Abang Mohd Porkan Abang Budiman; SRB Region II Sibu assistant controller Hatta Morshidi, Public Works Department Sarikei divisional engineer Teo Nguong Leong, and Sarikei District Officer Christopher Ranggau.

Hatta (third left) explains a point to Dr Jerip. Abang Mohd Porkan is at left, while at front fourth and fifth left are Abang Mohammad and Teo. Christopher is at third right.