‘SRB identifying site for new RM10 mln wharf in Sarikei’
KUCHING : A suitable site is in the process of being identified for the new reinforced concrete commercial wharf at Sungai Nyelong in Sarikei that will cost RM10 million, Deputy Transport Minister II Dato Henry Harry Jinep said.
According to him, Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) had been tasked to identify a site for the new wharf.
“The funding for this new reinforced concrete commercial wharf for Sarikei will be submitted under the state’s mid-term review of the 12th Malaysian Plan (2021 to 2025).
“The existing wharf is no longer safe for heavy vehicles and the new wharf project will be handled by Sarawak Rivers Board once the funding and the new site have been secured,” he said.
He said this when responding to a question from Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii (GPS-Repok).
Henry said SRB had in 2020 invited the Sarikei divisional Land and Survey Department, Bintangor District Office and Sarikei Resident’s Office for a dialogue session with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to agree on temporary measures while a new site for the wharf was being identified.
Responding to additional questions from Huang, the deputy minister said there was an average of seven to eight ship calls per month at the existing wharf over the past four years, with 97 calls recorded in 2017, 98 in 2018, 91 in 2019, and 61 in 2020.
He also said there was an average of 2,898 tonnes of cargo transported during the same period, with 39,230 tonnes of cargo transported in 2017, followed by 47,330 tonnes in 2018, 31,415 tonnes in 2019, and 22,145 tonnes in 2020.