Nanta - RM3.3 Billion Needed To Fix, Maintain Federal Roads

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi says Federal Roads would require an additional RM3.3 billion in order for the maintenance backlog to be completed. Moreover, this funding would be used to upkeep 3,821.03 KM of Federal Roads, including patching up critical potholes.

Nanta noted that despite the allocation of RM3.3 billion towards this cause between 2018 and 2023, roads continue to deteriorate due to increased traffic volume and overloaded trucks.

That was his response to queries in Dewan Rakyat on how the Works Ministry addresses reoccurring road repair issues. Nanta further adds that in future, new "specialty mixes" asphalt developed by private firms would be used in road works. These highly durable super fibre mixture or crumb rubber modified asphalt are supposed to improve road repair efficiency.

Last year, Sarawak’s Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas made a similar announcement that the state would pioneer the use of waste products such as plastics and slag in road construction.

Nanta also stressed that strict audits would be done on manufacturing sites so that the quality of these materials’ specifications are adhered to ensure ministry’s preset requirements and standards are met.