CONSTRUCTION of a key bridge on Sarawak’s 896km coastal road is in jeopardy.

Not only has it fallen far being schedule, the Malaysian-Chinese joint venture company that was awarded the contract is said to be plagued by cashflow and labour issues.

The RM98.5 million bridge spanning Batang Rambungan in Lundu at the southern tip of the state is reported to be three years behind schedule – two of them due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The revised completion date is on December 16 – in 10 days’ time – but since the bridge is only 45% completed against the projected schedule of 83%, the new completion date is now set to June 23 next year.

Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah, who made a site visit today, said he is “very worried by the delay”.

Uggah, who is also the state infrastructure and port development minister, said he has advised the management of Precious Credence JV Gezhouba Sdn Bhd to sort out its cashflow and workers problems as soon as possible.

He, nonetheless, warned the company that it not only faced stiff penalties for failing to complete the bridge on time; the contract could be terminated “if there (is) enough evidence to indicate it could not carry out the contract”.

The Batang Rambungan bridge is a 560m-long, two-lane single carriage bridge and one of 11 on the coastal road project. – December 6, 2022.