Sabah’s Pan Borneo Highway Package 20 Lagging At Just 1.6 Pct Completion

LAHAD DATU, June 24 (Bernama) --  Physical progress on Package 20 of the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah remains low at just 1.6 per cent, despite the Letter of Acceptance (SST) having been issued nearly eight months ago, Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said. 

The Sabah Works Minister said the delay was mainly due to ongoing land and property assessment processes, which are still being actively carried out.

As such, he has instructed the contractor and all related parties to take proactive measures to ensure smoother progress and timely development of the package.

“Although the progress of Package 20 is still within the contractual schedule, the percentage is relatively low,” he told reporters after inspecting the Package 20 construction site of the Pan Borneo Highway here today.

Package 20 is part of Phase 1B of the Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah, with a construction period of 36 to 48 months. It involves the South East alignment from Tawau to Lahad Datu, covering Packages 16 to 20.

Shahelmey also instructed the contractor to identify sections within Package 20 that are unaffected by land acquisition issues so that physical works such as clearing and alignment formation can proceed without delay.

“So far, clearing and alignment formation works have begun on at least one kilometre, and I hope progress will continue to improve from time to time,” he said.

He also reminded all stakeholders, including the Public Works Department (JKR), the contractor and the project office to anticipate potential risks early to minimise disruptions within the contract period.

At the same time, he stressed the importance of maintaining existing roads still in use by the public, urging serious attention to traffic safety and management throughout the highway's construction period.

-- BERNAMA