The RM10 million esplanade that was launched in 2008 and completed just a few months ago has already fallen into a state of collapse.
KOTA KINABALU: Another multi-million ringgit public project in Sabah has been exposed as ‘crooked’ by residents and visitors to Sipitang on the southern border of the state.
The RM10 million esplanade that was launched in 2008 and completed just a few months ago has already fallen into a state of collapse, according to traders operating stalls in the area facing the seafront.
According to them the supporting pillars of the pier have already started to sink and the whole esplanade has started to tilt towards the sea and is in danger of collapse.
They said the safety of visitors, especially unwary children, was at risk because the single strand of wire separating them from the broken down esplanade and a plunge into the sea is no protection.
Local opposition party, SAPP’s youth wing leader for the district, Nazib Maidan also visited the site after receiving complaints from visitors and traders operating food stalls and booths nearby.
He confirmed that their survey found that not only had the boardwalk been damaged but that the whole esplanade had started to lean away from the land.
He warned the authorities concerned to take urgent and immediate action before an accident occurred and stressed that the contractor should not be paid more for correcting the flaws to the whole project.
Meanwhile, small traders in the area say they pay RM400 per month for a licence to set up their stalls near the esplanade but have faced difficulty doing business due to the problem.
One trader said he had to purchase tents for customers to shelter from the rain and midday sun.
It is understood that Chief Minister Musa Aman visited Sipitang a week ago but it was unknown if the matter had been brought to his attention.
SAPP youth questioned if authorities such as the District and Regional Council Sipitang were constantly monitoring all ongoing projects in the district.
A visit to the esplanade showed that while it looked similar to the work being carried out at the equally expensive Kota Kinabalu waterfront project that includes an esplanade, the work done is questionable.
A source said it is a good example of many expensive, government-linked projects being carried out around the state.
“They are costly but the work and the project do not justify the costs … maybe MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) should look into who is getting these contracts … they follow a pattern … you know what I mean?” said the source who requested anonymity.
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