PETALING JAYA: Implementation of nearly 40% of projects under the Rural Road Projects in Sarawak have suffered delays, some as long as 242 days, according to the Auditor-General's 2011 report.

The report, which was tabled in Parliament Monday, pointed out that of 101 projects completed, 38 had been delayed from 15 to 242 days from the original schedule.

The Auditor-General also found that of 74 other ongoing projects, 13 are behind schedule by more than 20%.

Apart from the delays, the report noted that construction and upgrading of roads did not follow contract specifications and that road users were not satisfied with the quality, safety and comfort of the roads.

“Audit findings revealed that, in general, the construction and upgrading of rural road projects in Sarawak were not satisfactory,” read the report.

The Rural and Regional Development Ministry, which oversees the projects, said the delays were out of the control of either the ministry or implementing agents.

Among the problems the ministry highlighted in its response to the Auditor-General on June 26 this year include blockades by land owners, lack of building materials and internal problems faced by the hired contractors.

“However, the implementing agency constantly takes the necessary action to overcome such problems or causes of delays so that a project can be completed within the designated time,” the ministry said.

According to the report, the ministry had approved a total of RM1.727 bil to implement 175 road projects in Sarawak from 2006 to 2010.

From the total approved funds, some RM1.024 bil had been spent so far as at Dec 31, 2011.

The Sarawak Public Works Department was put in charge of 146 projects worth a total of RM1.104 bil, while the remaining 29 projects costing RM622.84 mil were put under the Sarawak Drainage and Irrigation Department.

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