His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, as the Chairman of the National Committee of the 10th National Development Plan (NDP), continued to visit projects under the 10th National Development Plan namely the Women and Children Hospital building block project (Phase 1) of RIPAS Hospital, Jalan Residency road maintenance (Phase 1) and nationwide secondary schools upgrading project (Phase 1) at Sekolah Tinggi Perempuan Raja Isteri (STPRI).

His Royal Highness first visited RIPAS Hospital and attended a briefing session of the various projects under the 10th National Development Plan.

Sources told the Borneo Bulletin that during the briefing session, traffic congestion especially during peak hours at RIPAS Hospital and delay in projects on road upgrading along Jalan Residency in the capital which was supposed to be completed in October 2011, where the progress now is about 73.5 per cent, were highlighted and remedies to resolve the issues were touched upon.

These remedies include a service road project which when completed would ease traffic congestion. Other projects include upgrading the entry and exit road of the hospital.

Other programmes also include formulating a one-way road system at RIPAS Hospital which would ease the traffic flow. The shuttle bus system has also received an encouraging response.

On delayed projects, action would be taken against the contractor concerned. If a project is delayed by 30 per cent, a warning will be given and if there is no action, the Public Works Department (JKR) will terminate the contractor's project.

Long-term steps to avoid project delays include ensuring that before the project is awarded the contractor is interviewed to identify the capacity track in terms of the resources, capability and machineries. Fines will also be imposed to make them realise the importance of the project.

The Permanent Secretary (Technical and Professional) at the Ministry of Development, Awg Hj Suhaimi bin Hj Gafar made a presentation on the Women and Children Hospital building block project (phase 1) of RIPAS Hospital, Jln Residency road maintenance (phase 1) and the nationwide secondary schools upgrading project.

HRH was also briefed on the requirement for the Women and Children Hospital building block project (Phase 1) of RIPAS Hospital; the orthopaedic ward 25 and the first class ward 17 by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Hj Saifulbahri bin Hj Awg Mansor.

The Women and Children Hospital will have 11 floors with 382 beds and two floors of basement parking with direct exit to the Hassanal Bolkiah Highway.

Obstetric services received 6,851 patients in 2010 while paediatrics received around 6, 298 patients, which is far greater than any other services. The Women and Children Hospital is hoped to reduce the burden.

The occupancy rate for neonatal ICU special care unit has reached more than 120 per cent. The beds have reached their full capacity and are sometimes put on the corridor. With the completion of the new Women and Children Hospital, the bed capacity would be adequate and provide more comfort. The bed capacity in the children's ward will be increased by 45 per cent while maternity ward will increase by up to 51 per cent.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented for an additional floor at podium level for paediatric to be integrated under one roof to ascertain safety of the patients and to facilitate ward coverage as well as to accommodate more beds in view of increasing paediatric patients.

After the briefing session, HRH visited the orthopaedic Ward 25 and the first class Ward 17 of RIPAS Hospital, took a closer look at the Women and Children Hospital building block project.

While at the project site, HRH was further briefed by the Acting Director-General of Public Works Department, Hj Marzuke bin Hj Mohsin and Dato Paduka Awg Hj Idris bin Hj Abas, the architect of the project. The project which is being built at a cost of $57,379,000 is expected to be completed in October 2013.

HRH also visited the project site of Jln Residency road maintenance project (Phase 1) in the capital. During the visit, HRH was briefed on the details of the project by Awg Hj Marzuke bin Hj Mohsin. The project which was scheduled to be completed in December 2012 is being built at a cost of $24,420,000.

The scope of work in Phase 1 is the construction of a four-lane 700-metre dual carriageway from Bubungan 12 to Pintu Malim; upgrading of existing road alignment to dual carriageway; 400 units of off-street paved car parks with proper lighting; waterfront promenade; safe pedestrian walkway; new passenger jetties with gazebo and pontoon; proper surface drainage system; laying of new water pipeline; providing facilities for people; street lighting; soft landscaping; telecoms, electrical and other related works.

Phase 2 sees the laying of a 1,100-metre four-lane dual carriageway from Sg Kianggeh bridge to Bubungan 12, upgrading existing road alignment to dual carriageway and upgrading Jln Subok junction to Jln Residency.

HRH also took a closer look at the design of the proposed connecting bridge linking the capital through Jln Residency to Sg Kebun which is in the pre-qualification tender stage to identify the contractors. The construction of the bridge would give an alternative route and lessen traffic congestion along Jln Tutong, especially during peak hours, thus bringing more comfort.

It is a $140 million project and in the 10th NDP, $70 million has been allocated. Designs being studied include H-type cable stayed bridge, diamond-type cable stayed bridge and cantilevel box girder.

Before concluding the working visit, HRH visited the project site for the upgrading of STPRI. HRH was further briefed on the project by Acting Director for Development at PWD, Chua Pheng Keong.

It is part of the nationwide secondary schools upgrading project undertaken by the Ministry of Education at a cost of $6,574,406.60.

The working visit of HRH to the national development projects yesterday was a continuation of a similar visit by HRH on May 12, 2012. The visit was aimed to take a closer look at the implementation, planning and operations of the development projects under the 10th NDP.

The visit also reflects continuity and support towards His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's efforts in ensuring that the government agencies are always sensitive and responsive to the current development in attaining peace and security in the country.

Present during the visit were the Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister's Office, Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abdul Rahman bin Hj Ibrahim as the Deputy Chairman of the National Committee of the 10th NDP; Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Mohd Yusof; Minister of Communications as Acting Minister of Development, Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar; Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar; Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, Dato Paduka Awg Hj Ali bin Hj Apong and other members of the National Committee of the 10th NDP. - Borneo Bulletin (8 June 2012)