By Yussof J. Imbang
TONGOD: The construction and completion of the Tongod Sports Complex, which had its contract terminated last July, will be resumed at the beginning of next year.
The current assemblyman for Kuamut, Datuk Masiung Banah, explained that the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) is currently in the process of finalizing documentation to appoint a new contractor to complete the project.
He was met after launching the campaign machinery for the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) at the Tongod polling district (PDM) here on Wednesday.
“The previous contractor appointed by the former government had their contract terminated after failing to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe.
“We issued several warnings, including granting a four-time extension, but they failed to make physical progress, leading KBS to issue a directive to terminate the project contract,” he said.
Masiung stated that this issue has been raised during the opposition’s campaign, but they should understand that the contractor in question was appointed while they were in power.
He does not question whose crony the contractor is, but insists that they must be capable of completing the work on schedule.
He noted that the physical progress of the RM7 million project has been quite disappointing since last year, with the opposition taking the opportunity to blame him, even though it was fully handed over to the contractor they appointed themselves.
“But do not worry, we already have a solution where KBS will appoint a new contractor as early as next year to complete the remaining work.
“I am confident that the project will be completed within two years. From what I see, the new contractor only needs to add the construction of the track, and the connections for electricity and water,” he explained.
