KUCHING, Oct 24 — The Sarawak government should only engage qualified local contractors to undertake the renovation and repair works on the state’s over 1,000 dilapidated schools, Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How said today.
The state Opposition lawmaker said the move to hire locals is for transparency and accountability in the project and to avoid excessive cost as well as to ensure the repairs are done on time.
“The state government must also insist that any federal allocation for the projects to rebuild, renovate and for extension of our dilapidated rural schools be given to the state to administer, manage and supervise to ensure the completion of these schools is on schedule,” See told reporters here today.
State Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Datuk Seri Michael Manyin recently said 1,020 out of 1,454 schools in Sarawak were found to be in various degree of dilapidation, including 415 which were critically in need of repair.
Manyin had said the state would use its own fund to renovate the schools or build new ones first, but would later bill the federal government for reimbursement.
See, who is also Sarawak PKR vice-chairman, also urged the state government to put in place the necessary safeguards for the transparency and accountability in the administration and management of the projects.
He said the allocations are better utilised to complete more school rebuilding and renovation works and that all contracts should be awarded through open tenders.
“Surely, with sound architectural and engineering advice, we can standardise the designs and for better use of a more sound IBS technology which will cut costs in the whole, to avoid unnecessary costs and leakages,” he said.
IBS is a construction term for industrialised building system.
See said the state education department should engage other state departments to ensure efficient project consultant management and have sufficient technical staffs to supervise the implementation of the projects.
He said it is also necessary for the local divisional education offices and the local elected representatives to be vigilant and bear responsibility for the completion of these projects, to report any delay or stoppage of works to the relevant department and agencies.
