KUALA LUMPUR (June 1): Protests by environmental groups against the East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE) project have not disrupted the construction work which is progressing according to schedule, said the project’s concessionaire Ahmad Zaki Resources Bhd (AZRB).

AZRB managing director Datuk Wan Zakariah Muda said the company obtained Selangor government’s approval for the RM1.55 billion project, after going through a stringent process that included numerous engagement with stakeholders.

The company is required to abide by a list of conditions, he said, adding it will make sure that its subcontractors and suppliers do not violate any of the conditions.

“We have to [be] aware or alert at all times that our subcontractors and suppliers at the site are not breaking any of these conditions,” he told a press conference, after the group’s annual general meeting today.

The conditions include providing replacement land to the state government for forest land taken for the project, and ensuring forest animals are not displaced by the construction.

“We have commenced construction in September 2015; the construction period is four years, and we have to abide by the conditions at all time,” said Wan Zakariah.

Environmental groups have protested against the construction of the EKVE as phase one of the project — from Sungai Long in Kajang to Ukay Perdana in Hulu Kelang — involves the de-gazetting of 106.6 hectares of the Ampang Forest Reserve.

AZRB was awarded the contract to build the 35.5km highway by the federal government in 2013.

Meanwhile, Wan Zakariah said AZRB is currently bidding for a number of other projects worth a total of RM2.5 billion to RM3 billion. They include the 31.8 km Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) and 20.1km Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Expressway (DASH).

The group’s orderbook stood at RM4.3 billion as at March 31, and this would sustain the group for the next four years, he said.

He added that the group has completed the construction of the IIUM Teaching Hospital in Kuantan at a cost of RM412.62 million.

“This was the first private finance initiative (PFI) project that we obtained through an open tender with the government. Our concession period is for 21 and a half years from May 9,” he added.

The group’s construction work for the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) package covering the Phoniex Plaza-Bandar Tun Hussein Onn stretch, is targeted to be completed by the end of this year.

In April, the group was also awarded a new contract by MRT Corp to construct and complete the viaduct guideway from Persiaran Dagang, Bandar Sri Damansara to Jinjang, worth RM1.44 billion.

On the oil and gas sector, AZRB executive editor Datuk Mustaffa Mohamad said the group’s 51%-owned Tok Bali Supply Base (TBSB) in Kelantan would start to contribute to the group’s earnings next year, despite the sluggish oil and gas market.

“All the oil and gas players are talking about the austerity drive, lowering down price and Tok Bali is the platform for that. Even though the overall market in oil and gas is now being lowered, in our place it is increasing.

“We are registering a big increase in our operation since December last year. For the last six months, the increment in terms of the activities is very exciting.

“As it is now, the facilities is not 100% on the ground yet, so we hope that before the end of the year, most of the basic facilities will be there… we are positive on TBSB, because of the location,” Mustaffa added. – theedgemarkets.com

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