Road upgrading at POIC Lahad Datu kicks off today

22 Dec 2021

LAHAD DATU: Repairs and upgrading of roads in the POIC Lahad Datu industrial park here kicks off today with the arrival of the first batch of machinery.

The first phase works, scheduled for completion in one year, will address all manner of wear and tear on roads within the state-owned industrial project developed since 2005 by POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd.

“We are grateful for the funding from the State government enabling us to uphold our promise to our investors.

“Road users especially our investors should be pleased to know that potholes and impassable stretches will soon be a thing of the past,” said Datuk Fredian Gan, the chief executive officer of POIC Sabah, when witnessing the machinery delivery today.

Roads within POIC Lahad Datu have deteriorated over the years and have particularly impeded the smooth movements of heavy trucks carrying raw material and finished products.

An estimated RM3 billion have been invested in POIC Lahad Datu in infrastructure and factories, which include a cluster of fertiliser plants which combine to form the biggest cluster of its kind in Malaysia.

For a long-term solution, Gan said that the company is working towards handing over the roads within POIC Lahad Datu to the local authority (Lahad Datu District Council) within a year after completion of the repair and upgrading.

“The handover is a normal process of changing jurisdiction. We were delayed by various technicalities. We hope to soon complete the process,” said Gan.

“Besides, good roads are also crucial to the operation of our bulk, liquid and container ports ad cargo volume gradually increases.”

Meanwhile, the CEO said that POIC Sabah has been working with other government institutions to seek upgrading in services and utilities expected by investors.

He was pleased to learn that the upgrading works for the Segama water treatment plant is targeted for completion in 2023 as this would be able to address water supply inadequacy for the short to mid term.