Financial problem delaying repair of rural roads

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24, 2007 (Bernama): The financial constraint faced by the state governments is delaying road repair works in rural areas, the Dewan Rakyat was told Wednesday.

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the delay was due to the high cost of repairing roads damaged by soil sedimentation.

The Works Ministry only took care of federal roads while the state roads were under the state governments, he said in a written reply to Datuk Abdul Rahman Ariffin (BN-Jerlun).

He said the Public Works Department in the states would carry out the repairs based on allocations from the state governments.

Samy Vellu said the ministry had technical expertise on soil sedimentation under the Geotechnic Unit which was always ready to assist the state and district PWDs by providing technical advice.