KOTA KINABALU: Work on a public skybridge project here is to resume more than two years after it had stalled, with the Sabah government agreeing to pay for its completion.
Chief Minister Hajiji Noor today announced that the government had approved RM4.7 million for the project, which had come to a stop since 2018 after the developer involved became insolvent.
He said he wanted the bridge linking the Oceanus shopping mall as well as commercial districts of Api-Api Centre and Asia City to be completed as soon as possible.
With construction commencing soon, the skybridge, located in one of the busiest areas in the city, is expected to be ready by the middle of this year.
“We do not want this project to be abandoned indefinitely. It must be completed quickly for the convenience and safety of the public,” he said after visiting the site today.
The RM31.5 million project was funded by the Prime Minister’s Department through its Public Private Partnership Unit (Ukas).
The project began with a facilitation fund agreement between Putrajaya, the Malaysia Development Bank and Sunsea Development Sdn Bhd on Feb 9, 2017.
Under the agreement, the government had the right to terminate the facilitation fund in the event the developer became insolvent.
Construction of the pedestrian linkages and upgrading work on the surrounding infrastructure began on April 1, 2017 and was scheduled for completion within six months. The deadline was later extended to April 30, 2018.
However, Sunsea Development was issued a winding-up order on April 18, 2018.
With 90% of the project already completed, the contractor, Petrofiq Sdn Bhd, halted work as it had not received payment.
Accompanying Hajiji during the visit were assistant minister to the chief minister Abidin Madingkir, nominated assemblyman Yong Teck Lee and Kota Kinabalu mayor Noorliza Awang Alip. - FMT
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