Goh De No
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Monday, February 20, 2012
DURING the Seventh LegCo session, it was reported that 30 per cent of the 1,040 projects under the National Development Plan (Rancangan Kemajuan Negara or RKN) 2007-2012 have been completed, while 48 per cent of the projects are in the process of implementation or construction.
Second Minister of Finance, Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdul Rahman Hj Ibrahim added that six per cent are in tender stages; nine per cent are in the design phase, whilst the remaining eight are in the planning stage, as of March 2011.
However, in January this year, Minister of Development, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman, said that related agencies are stepping-up efforts to expedite the completion of some delayed projects in order to ensure that the development programmes under the Ninth National Development Plan is right on target.
"We see that some of the projects are experiencing delays, but there are some progress, too. We hope that the delayed projects will soon be completed, InsyaAllah, according to the schedules," said Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman during his visit to four construction sites in the Brunei-Muara District earlier in the year.
Pehin Dato Hj Rahman last year also said that the budget allocation of $1.05 billion for fiscal year 2011/2012 has been prepared under the National Development Plan, similar to 2010/2011. The distribution under the RKN will focus more on projects that are already in progress, those expecting tender awards and those that will be tendered. "This is to ensure that the budget allocation will be fully utilised," he assured, adding that the distribution focus also considers efforts of ministries and expenditure performances in the 2010/2011 fiscal year.
Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi further assured that although there are some projects experiencing delays, others are being implemented on schedule. The minister conceded that there were inevitable problems during the implementation of the development projects; however, the challenges were able to be handled.
"In addition, from time to time, we also provide guidelines to other parties, consultants and developers, about the type of work that we are aiming for," he added.
Some of the guidelines were also based on the feedback given by some homeowners from previous housing projects to the Ministry of Development.
Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi underscored the importance of cooperation and discussion between the government and consultants and developers. "The government will constantly monitor the works carried out by developers and consultants," he said.
During last year's session, Pehin Dato Hj Rahman also received questions regarding the progress of projects under the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB).
He said in reference to the Telisai-Lumut highway, that it experienced minor delay, but is scheduled to be completed in February 2013.
As for the Pulau Muara Besar (PMB) project, the BEDB has been receiving a number of proposals for projects from various international companies and the BEDB has also done its own assessment and brought it up with the relevant stakeholders. He said that there are a "number of factors" that would affect development and industrial projects, such as whether there is a demand for certain types of developments from investors.
"Also, what type of industry that would need to be developed as well as the size of the investment of the project. Because the PMB project is a large project, this is the reason why the project will be completed in phases," he said.
Dato Paduka Dr Hj Ismail Hj Duraman, executive director of the Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS), said the government should thresh out more details about the National Development Plan (RKN) projects to stoke growth, warning Brunei is in a "comfort zone" because of its oil and gas resources. Looking at the nature of Brunei's economy, which is still government driven especially in the non-oil sector, the private sector, for example, Small-to-Medium enterprises (SMEs), are largely relying on RKN projects, Dato Dr Hj Ismail said last August.
"So to stimulate and encourage economic growth we need to increase their (SMEs) productivity to expand, and hence (boost) future employment. It sounds simple and theoretical but this would be the growth path Brunei may pursue. To speed up the implementation of the projects that have already (been) approved," he added.
Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times
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