KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor has directed  departments and agencies to address obstacles hindering the implementation of  development projects in Sabah urgently.  

Chairing the State Development Action Council (MTPNg) meeting at Menara Kinabalu  here today, the Chief Minister said there were 1,218 projects currently being  implemented in Sabah but 25 of them have been categorised as 'sick'. 

These 'sick' projects included energy, water, electricity, schools, health facilities and  other amenities that were not completed within the stipulated period. 

"All these projects are of public importance, hence every effort should be taken to  prioritise and ensure their completion," he said. 

The Council was also briefed on the duly formed Special Joint State-Federal Committee tasked to monitor development projects in Sabah, especially problem projects. 

On the hardcore poor eradication programme, the council was briefed by the SMJ  secretariat that Sabah was on the right track to achieve its target of zero-hardcore poor. 

The Chief Minister commented that it was important that the State Government through  the SMJ secretariat introduce interventions to further lower hardcore poor incidents in  the state. 

Earlier in his welcoming remarks, Hajiji urged the federal and state implementing  agencies to maximise usage of the RM6.6 billion allocated by the Federal Government  under the National 2024 Budget for development in Sabah this year. 

The allocation covers various development programmes that included flood mitigations,  rehabilitation of the Tuaran River, construction of new schools, repairing dilapidated  schools and building new clinics and Tamu Desa premises. 

"It is imperative for all departments and agencies in Sabah to fully utilise the allocation  and the devolution of authority for technical agencies in Sabah to implement  development projects costing below RM50 million to spur the state's economic growth,"  he said.

He said the federal and state implementing agencies must strengthen relations between  them, improve performances and enhance project qualities for the benefit of the people. 

"We have passed the middle of the year so I want all of us to scrutinise and review our  performance against our respective target in terms of the federal and state development  projects implementation. 

Up to July 15 this year, Sabah had spent RM1.791 billion or 35.46 per cent compared to  the national performance of 43.45 per cent under the Fourth Rolling Plan of the 12th  Malaysia Plan. 

The meeting was attended by all State Cabinet Ministers and Federal Ministers, Datuk  Armizan Ali and Datuk Ewon Benedick. 

Ends