Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor directed departments and agencies to urgently address obstacles hindering the implementation of development projects in Sabah.
Chairing the State Development Action Council (MTPNg) meeting at Menara Kinabalu, Tuesday, he said there were 1,218 projects currently being implemented in Sabah but 25 of them have been categorised as “sick”.
These projects included energy, water, electricity, schools, health facilities and other amenities that were not completed within the stipulated period.
“All these projects are of public importance, hence every effort should be taken to prioritise and ensure their completion,” he said.
The Council was also briefed on the duly formed Special Joint State-Federal Committee tasked to monitor development projects in Sabah, especially problem ones.
On hardcore poor eradication, it was briefed by the SMJ secretariat that Sabah was on the right track to achieve its target of zero-hardcore poor.
The Chief Minister commented that it was important that the State Government through the SMJ secretariat introduced interventions to further lower hardcore poor incidents in the State.
Hajiji urged the Federal and State implementing agencies to maximise use of the RM6.6 billion allocated by the Federal Government under the National 2024 Budget for development in Sabah this year.
The allocation covers various development programmes that included flood mitigation, rehabilitation of the Tuaran River, construction of new schools, repairing dilapidated schools and building new clinics and Tamu Desa premises.
“It is imperative for all departments and agencies in Sabah to fully use the allocation and the devolution of authority for technical agencies in Sabah to implement development projects costing below RM50 million to spur the State’s economic growth,” he said.
He said the Federal and State implementing agencies must strengthen relations, improve performances and enhance project qualities for the benefit of the people.
“We have passed the middle of the year so I want all of us to scrutinise and review our performance against our respective targets in terms of the Federal and State development projects implementation.
Up to July 15, Sabah spent RM1.791 billion or 35.46 per cent compared to the national performance of 43.45 per cent under the Fourth Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan.
The meeting was attended by all State Cabinet Ministers and Federal Ministers, Datuk Armizan Ali and Datuk Ewon Benedick.
