By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 9: The 38km access road project connecting Baleh Dam to Tunoh is currently at the conceptual engineering design stage, but once implemented and completed will provide a vital road linkage for the livelihood of the rural community in Kapit who still rely on logging roads and rivers for transportation to towns.
Currently, there are 12 resettlement and longhouses as well as a school in the area.
Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA) chairman Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi emphasised that road connectivity to Tunoh located in the upper Baleh region must be prioritised to enable more development to be accelerated that would uplift the rural people’s socio-economic status.
“It seems that we are lagging behind, but we should fast track the building of quarters, houses, offices and buildings (especially for administrative purposes) that is required so that officers can be stationed there.
“But it is not ideal to have offices and buildings without proper road connectivity. So I think whatever projects and programmes we have placed, we should also put emphasis on getting the (road) connectivity,” he said.
He highlighted this when addressing the closing ceremony of Score Acess Road to Tunoh in Kapit Project Stakeholders Engagement Workshop held at Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) Complex’s auditorium at The Isthmus today.
With Bukit Mabong being a new district in Tunoh which has not been fully equipped with basic facilities like water and electricity supply and road linkages, Nanta, who is also Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, said the proposed access road project to Tunoh will certainly be a game changer or catalyst to expedite other necessary development in the area and surroundings.
“We must thank the Premier of Sarawak (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) for providing RM1.5 billion to Recoda to implement 42 infrastructure projects under the URDA area.
“This shows that both the Federal and Sarawak governments are serious and proactive in ensuring development in the Ulu Rajang area. Infrastructure development is crucial to ensure people in the rural and most interior part of Sarawak are not left behind in enjoying the facilities of mainstream development and economy,” he added.
When asked about the road project cost, Regional Corridor of Renewable Energy (Recoda) chief executive officer (CEO) Datu Ismawi Ismuni explained that it can only be ascertained after the completion of the engineering design, assessment and planning.
“It is still preliminary but what’s important is we hope to complete the project by 2025 within the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP),” he emphasised.
Earlier on, Ismawi said the Score Access Road to Tunoh in Kapit Project funded by the Federal government will take time and incur high costs, but when completed it will benefit the residents from 12 resettlements and longhouses in the future.
“It is important to hear the views and gather the input from all parties that will enable efficient planning to implement the project,” he said with hope Recoda will be able to finalise the project details which will then be presented to the Federal government and for construction to commence as soon as possible.
Hulu Rejang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Pealgus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat and Baleh assemblyman Nicholas Kudi Jantai were also present. — DayakDaily
