Daniel Lim
Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Ir Awang Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Gafar made a working visit to five project sites in the Belait District yesterday.
The project sites are led by the Public Works Department (JKR), Ministry of Development (MoD) to improve the quality of life of citizens and residents in the district. These projects come under the 11th National Development Plan.
Legislative Council (LegCo) member and Acting Penghulu of Mukim Labi I Yang Berhormat Hanapi bin Mohd Siput, Deputy Minister of Development Dato Seri Paduka Ar Awang Haji Marzuke bin Haji Mohsin, Permanent Secretary (Infrastructure, Housing and Professional) at the MoD Ir Haji Amer Hishamuddin bin Pehin Orang Kaya Amar Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Zakaria, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Corporate and Laws) at the MoD Hajah Norhayati binti Haji Mohd Yaakub, Acting Director General of Public Works Haji Md Salleh bin Haji Karim, department heads and MoD officials joined the working visit.
The contingent first visited the Kuala Belait and Seria Municipal Board Area project to inspect the upgrading of integrated services infrastructure works. At the parking lot beside Tudong Saji, the contingent conducted an overview of the project, including the upgrading of the surrounding drainage system (in the town area of Kuala Belait and Seria). This will reduce the risk of flooding in the area. JKR estimates the project will take 24 months to complete.
The next stop was at the heart of Seria town to observe the upgrade of the sewage system in Kuala Belait and Seria Municipal Board Area, which carries a BND4.2 million cost.
The project, which started on March 3, 2020, is 25 per cent complete. The upgrade is led by JKR (Belait and Tutong districts) with Astal Engineering Sdn Bhd as the contractor. This project will ensure the sewage system is operating as intended, issues (such as blockage) are fixed using robotically controlled pipe inspection tools, and will help reduce maintenance cost of the whole sewage pipe system.
The project will run until September 2, 2022.
The contingent then headed to the area near the Sungai Bera Industrial Area to observe a project to replace/upgrade the pipes carrying the primary water source from the Badas Water Pump to the Seria Water Treatment Plant, spanning over 10km.
The project, started on January 20, 2020, is expected to be completed by January 19, 2022. JKR is leading the project, with Impian Reka Bina Sdn Bhd as the contractor. This project aims to ensure the pipes are supported to prevent leakage from cracks that may form due to ageing pipe support.
The site is also home to another project, which aims to relocate, replace, and upgrade existing pipelines from the Seria Water Treatment Plant to the Sungai Bera Industrial Area Water Tank and the Badas Water Pump Station.
This project (at an estimated cost of BND916,840) aims to ensure the quality of the water produced from the Seria Water Treatment Plant can be further improved. The pipes are being replaced with steel and MDPE (Medium-density polyethylene) variety, which are long lasting and durable to withstand the weather and surrounding environment.
The project commenced on June 29, 2020, and will be completed by June 28, 2022.
The final site visit was to Kampong Lumut to observe upgrade works on the catchment and drainage system, aimed to help reduce the risk of flooding in the area and prevent the build-up of stagnant water which can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The 24-month-long project is slated to start soon.
In an interview with the Bulletin, Yang Berhormat Hanapi said the projects will improve the quality of life of the people in the area.
“A majority of the projects aim to help reduce the risk of flooding. Some (such as at Badas – where the pipe supports and pipes are being replaced and upgraded) will improve the quality of life,” he said.