KOTA KINABALU: The sixth Pan Borneo Highway Sabah package will bring better connectivity to 700,000 residents here, reducing traffic congestion at rapidly progressing areas.
Launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the RM900 million Package 6 dubbed the “Kota Kinabalu Outer Ring Road” will stretch from Putatan to Inanam, passing through the city.
"I was told Putatan and Inanam are progressing rapidly and congested. So, once this is completed in three years, it will help solve problems as the state continues to developed.
"This is what we called national transformation. When we want the nation to progress, we need to focus on people-centric infrastructure development like connectivity.
"This is to ensure smooth and safe movement of people and goods with no traffic congestion," he told a large crowd at the launching of Sixth Pan Borneo Sabah Package at the Putatan district council near here.
Present were Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, deputy chief minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Borneo Highway Project Delivery Partner Sdn Bhd (BHP) chief executive officer and managing director Shahelmy Yahya among others.
Describing himself as a Prime Minister for all, Najib said he had made sure to implement inclusive development concept so no states are left behind.
"We are not only a government that has vision towards the country and states but a political will to turn a vision into reality.
"Part of the visions is to ensure Sabah continues to develop because Sabah people have the right to enjoy a more meaningful development," he said to resounding cheers from the floor.
Najib stressed it was his responsibility as the country's top leader to step up and close any development gap between the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak so everyone could enjoy a balance progress together.
"We can do projects but if we simply implement just for the sake of making projects, then there will be no significant transformation to Sabah.
"In many projects implemented, there is no bigger impact than the Pan Borneo Highway and I want allocations to reach the grassroots," he added.
He also noted on the strong cooperation between Federal and Sabah government, adding a faster development growth can be achieved when both parties share similar vision.
The Package 6 project, featuring a 19.1km stretch, will see upgrading work from single carriageway to dual carriageway on new alignment and bypass.
It also involves the construction of three new bridges (Sungai Moyog Bridge 1, 2, and 3), two overhead pedestrian bridges, 10 U-turn junctions and four bus stops.
The federal and state government have appointed BHP as the Project Delivery Partner to design, implement, supervise and manage the development and upgrading of the Pan Borneo Highway Sabah project, within the agreed schedule and costs.
In his speech, Musa said the Putatan stretch, being the main road to city center, was always congested and the government had in 2013 implemented project to upgrade and expand Putatan stretch to Petagas for smooth traffic.
"However, the people are still facing traffic congestion due to development in surrounding areas. The solution to this problem is Pan Borneo Highway as it guarantees effective, safe, and comfortable land connectivity system," he said.
He stressed Najib has proven himself to be a realistic leader, who works towards keeping his promises since the first launching of Pan Borneo Highway project until its implementation.