5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
'About 200 rural Sarawak bridges need replacement, upgrade'
KUCHING: The Sarawak Public Works Department has found that about 200 rural bridges in the state need to be replaced or upgraded, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas today.
He said tenders for 19 bridges had been issued, costing RM24.44 million, and 10 more would be issued this year, costing RM37.45 million.
"Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg has given a directive to the state Infrastructure and Port Development Ministry to replace old bridges and to upgrade the ones that need it," he said after the handing over of three bailey bridges from the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) at Port Senari in Bako.
Uggah, who is state infrastructure and port development minister, said the replacement and upgrading of rural bridges would improve movement for rural folk.
He said many rural bridges were built by logging companies and "in bad shape".
He said bridges in Baram, Skrang, Selangau, Murum and Belaga need to be replaced.
He said the state government was in the process of taking over abandoned logging tracks to become state roads.
On the bailey bridges, he said two would be placed in Baram, which had bridges that often get destroyed in floods.
He said the bailey bridges could be assembled quickly.
"We will ask Nadma to provide us with more assets, like amphibious boats and bailey bridges," said Uggah, who is also SDMC chairman.
Nadma director-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah said the bridges were part of measures to strengthen disaster logistics and asset preparedness.
He said the initiative aimed to improve logistics during emergencies that require a quick solution to infrastructure damage, such as bridges and roads.
"This can speed up recovery after a disaster."
