NABAWAN: Delays in the construction of the Sungai Nabawan Bridge at Kilometre 0.05, Jalan Kraftangan, have prompted residents to demand answers from the authorities over the project’s slow progress and unfinished status.
Residents have raised concerns over the pace of work at the site, alleging that the contractor has been slow in carrying out the construction.
The Federal Government-funded project commenced on January 14, 2025, and was scheduled for completion on July 13, 2026. However, the bridge remains unfinished, raising questions over the reasons for the delay.
When contacted for comment, Deputy Chief Minister I and Works and Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam asked the Nabawan District Public Works Department (JKR) engineer to explain the situation.
Nabawan District JKR engineer Ahmad Fairuz Yunus said the delay was attributable to the contractor.
He said JKR had given the contractor an opportunity to complete the project, but the required work had yet to be fully carried out.
Ahmad Fairuz said JKR was currently directing the contractor to resume and expedite work at the site, as physical progress remained behind schedule.
Meanwhile, Nabawan Assemblyman Datuk Abdul Ghani Mohamed Yassin recently conducted a surprise inspection to assess the latest progress of the bridge construction.
He was accompanied by Nabawan District Officer Ts Marshal Anthony and Ahmad Fairuz.
However, the contractor’s company manager was reportedly absent during the inspection.
The contractor has also yet to provide an explanation for the delay, according to the information available.
Residents are urging the contractor to explain the reasons for the delay and take immediate steps to accelerate construction so that the bridge can be completed as soon as possible.
In a separate development, Ahmad Fairuz said construction of the Sungai Pancuran Nabawan Bridge had yet to begin despite earlier funding approval.
He explained that the project was awaiting approval from the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) for an additional funding ceiling to cover utility relocation works.
He said KKDW had yet to make a final decision on the additional funding application.