Sabah Cabinet to soon discuss interim measures to address issues at Sepanggar Port
by Nancy Lai · Borneo Post OnlineKOTA KINABALU (Jan 12): Proposals for interim solutions to address congestion at Sepanggar Port will be tabled in the State Cabinet in the near future.
In stating this, Deputy Chief Minister III cum Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport (Mindet) Datuk Ewon Benedick regarded the interim measures as being necessary, as long-term solutions, such as the ongoing Sepanggar Port expansion project, would take time to reach completion.
“Following complaints regarding congestion at Sepanggar Port, I today joined a prime mover from a depot in the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) to Sepanggar Port to collect a container for delivery to a customer, so that I could personally observe the situa-tion on the ground,” he said when met after conducting an inspection on Sepanggar Port here on Sunday.
He said based on the observations, the complaints raised were valid, with several factors identified as contributing to the congestion, including operational efficiency issues that would require immediate attention.
“Many factors are contributing to the congestion at Sepanggar Port, but issues related to efficiency must be addressed and improved,” he stressed, adding that the congestion at the port had become Mindet’s top priority, as the port stood as a key variable in Sabah’s overall industrial and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“Congestion at this port has a direct impact on supply chains, logistics costs and the competitiveness of industries and entrepreneurs in the state.
“That is why resolving this issue is my No 1 priority at Mindet.”
Ewon also gave assurance that the Sabah government remained committed to ensuring smooth port operations in support of the state’s sustainable economic growth.