4 days ago
Implement federal-funded projects in Sabah according to schedule - Ewon
Ewon speaks to media members at the event.
KOTA BELUD (June 3): Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick stated that all development projects in Sabah funded by the Federal Government must be carried out according to the schedule set.
Ewon, who also serves as co-chairman of the Federal-State Sabah Development Project Monitoring Coordination Intervention Committee together with Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey
Yahya, said the committee is tasked with ensuring that all projects in the pre-implementation category can be initiated.
'Datuk Shahelmey and I are responsible for monitoring and proposing solutions to any issues causing delays in the commencement of these projects.
'Once the projects are handed over to the implementing agencies and contractors, monitoring will continue through other platforms such as the Development Action Meeting,' he said after officiating the Kaamatan Festival celebration and the opening of the Kampung Podos open hall here yesterday.
Ewon was commenting on the latest developments in the meeting of the Federal-State Sabah Development Programme and Project Monitoring Coordination Intervention Committee.
He said the implementation of the Special Intervention Meetings, initiated earlier this year, had shown positive results.
'Many technical and administrative issues have been resolved more quickly through direct engagement between implementing agencies, ministries, and the State Government,' he said.
Based on the report presented at the Sabah Federal-State Development Project Monitoring Coordination Meeting last May, the number of projects in pre-implementation status has been reduced from 207 projects to 137 projects.
Ewon described this decrease as a positive development resulting from the cooperation of various parties.
'We have proposed several measures to technical departments and the ministries responsible for the projects so that any outstanding issues can be discussed and resolved.
'I hope the percentage of projects that have commenced will continue to rise in the upcoming meetings,' he said.
He also expressed his appreciation to all ministries, the Sabah Government and technical departments that have succeeded in expediting procurement processes, contractor appointments, and tenders for projects that had not yet begun.
'I am satisfied with the cooperation shown by all those involved in this intervention committee,' he said.
