RANAU: Residents or landowners who received notices regarding the Pan Borneo Highway construction project in their areas are asked not to panic, but to contact the authorities for further clarification.
Deputy Chief Minister III cum Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya advised those involved to contact the Lands and Surveys Department and the Public Works Department to obtain clarification.
“This process is going on actively, and we also ask the residents or landowners involved not to panic when receiving the notices,” he said this during his two-day working visit to Kundasang, Ranau and Pan Borneo WP33-WP35 on Sunday and Monday.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});The WP33 package involves Kg Lumou Baru to Kg Toupos (19.5km) and the WP34 package from Kg Toupos to Kg Nabutan (24.2km) while WP35 from Kg Nabutan to Ranau (26.5km).
Shahelmey said about 51 notices had been issued to landowners in WP33 package, over 100 in WP34 package and WP35 package received the most number of notices.
He added that the JKR and the implementing contractors are actively engaging with the villagers to explain the processes and steps taken in land acquisition process.
“We have divided the areas involved into two areas, namely areas that do not involve land acquisition, so the implementing contractor can conduct site surveys, site clearing and also construction of the alignment.
“While the areas that do involve land acquisition process, the process of handing out notices must be done first before we enter to carry out site surveys, site clearance and so on,” he said.
Regarding the visit, he said, everything scheduled is going well, and hoped that the project would continue to run smoothly until completion.
“Today, I am with a delegation from the State Ministry of Works and the Sabah JKR to conduct a work visit to the construction site of three packages of the Sabah Pan Borneo highway, namely Packages WP35, WP34 and WP33.
“From the results of the site visit that was held from early morning until noon, we can see the progress of the work being carried out.
“Progress so far consists of preliminary work and site clearing that is being actively carried out in addition to the work of submitting notices to the premises or land involved,” he said.
Shahelmey said this also involves cooperation in evaluating trees and plants for subsequent compensation.
“So looking at the current status, I feel confident that we can implement this project according to schedule.
“But what is important is to see cooperation from all parties, namely from the Public Works Department, consultants, implementing contractors and also related departments such as the Land and Survey Department, utilities and so on.
“I urge the Public Works Department and the contractors to always review any issues that could risk delays or disrupt the smooth running of this project,” he said.
He also reminded the contractors and the Public Works Department to not only focus on construction works but also ensure that road maintenance works during the construction period are carried out from time to time.
This is because there may be many disruptions encountered during construction and the authorities will ensure road conditions will not pose safety risk to users.
“All contractors involved must ensure that any potholes or uneven road surfaces are taken care of,” he said.
His tour also included a visit to the proposed bridge construction at SMK Kundasang, a visit to the 4.85-km Kundasang-Kauluan-Pinausok Road Upgrading Project, Ranau (Kundasang-Ranau Alternative Road), and a visit to the Ranau Drainage Scheme (JPPS).
