KUCHING: Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, has told contractors awarded "sick projects" that they are not exempted from his close monitoring.
"My eyes are also on you," he told the contractor awarded to pick up the slack on the RM54.5 million Jalan Baru MatangPhase 2 road project on the outskirt of the city in a site visit today.
Uggah, who is also the state's Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development, said he is keeping a close eye on them as he does not want a repeat of the failures of the original contractors.
"I do not want a situation where a sick project, handed over to a new contractor, becomes sick as well."
"My visit (here) today marks the beginning of this close monitoring," he added.
The contract is for the construction and completion of the remaining upgrading works of the 4.4km road from the present two-lane single carriageway into a four-lane double carriageway.
The road, now reported 86% ahead of schedule, is expected to be completed in May next year.
There are reportedly 50 sick projects throughout the state.
Uggah said with such a number of sick projects, the monitoring work would also be delegated to his two deputies, Datuk Majang Renggi and Datuk Aidel Lariwoo, and the Public Works DepartmentDirector Datuk Richard Tajan.
" We need to cover more areas. It is our hope that by this April we will be able to know the work progress of all these projects."
Uggah also warned the contractors to start their salvage work within one month of the site being handing over to them.
He said he will not hesitate to terminate the contract if they fail to do so.
"This is to ensure our infrastructure projects will be completed as scheduled."