DOING WELL: (From left) Tang, Tiong, Shaziman and Wong discussing the progress of the project.

SIBU: Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor revealed that 96 per cent of the Sibu-Tanjung Manis road has been completed.

Speaking to reporters during an inspection visit along Tanjung Manis road yesterday, Shaziman is expecting the remaining works in the third package to be completed at the end of May.

“I can see that the development of the RM530 million project to construct the 88km road connecting Sibu to Tanjung Manis Port is good,” he enthused.

He pointed out that the construction of Sibu-Tanjung Manis road had proven the government’s concern towards economic development in Sibu.

He believed that the completed road would help boost the economic activity in Sibu and its surrounding areas.

“Before this, businessmen from Sibu depended on boats to travel to Tanjung Manis, which would take about four hours. Now with the road, they could reach the port within an hour, so it will definitely bring conveniences to them,” he said.

Meanwhile, when asked on the request for the federal government to take over the Upper Lanang Bridge, he said the ministry had no objection to consider the matter at the cabinet.

He said his ministry would have to discuss with the state government before the matter could be brought up.

“We understand that there are some technical issues that need to be addressed.

“Thus, before we could present the paper work to the cabinet, I have to look at the matter thoroughly first,” he said.

Also present at the site were Public Works Department, Sibu Divisional engineer Vincent Tang, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King and Second Finance Minister and Minister of Environment and Public Health Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.

(Source : The Borneo Post Online, 14/4/2011)