KUCHING, Feb 11: Two assemblymen and a parliamentarian have pooled their resources to repair the broken bridge over Sungai Lekasi.
The two assemblymen are Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon and Belaga assemblyman Datuk Liwan Lagang while the parliamentarian is Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong.
These elected representatives have pooled together their minor rural project (MRP) funds to build a temporary bridge costing RM150,000.
“This temporary bridge at Sungai Lekasi is already completed. It can last only a few months.
“I suggest that we do a permanent steel bridge the soonest to solve the problem once and for all,” Chukpai told DayakDaily today.
He stressed that the present bridge only provided temporary access to solve the problem of inaccessibility where more than 600 longhouse residents including 70 students, from 89 ‘bilik’ or doors, have been left stranded since the bridge collapsed about a week ago.
The bridge which is only 30 metres long, is on the only access road linking Long Wat and Long Malim to Tegulang Resettlement Scheme.
“Now the problem at Tegulang is temporarily solved, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) for their fast action to assist us in rectifying the problem.
“The worries I have now is for Metalun. Two bridges along the connecting road have also collapsed, leaving four longhouses and SK Metalun stranded.
“I have requested Puncak Niaga @ Shin Yang and SEB to help but (there has been) no reply and action yet. I hope they can help us to rectify the problem,” said Chukpai.
The two bridges in Metalun gave way on Feb 7, after days of non-stop rain.
This led to four longhouses namely Long Menapa, Long Tangau, Long Luar and Long Singu as well as SK Metalun being cut off.
There are more than 1,000 residents living in the four longhouse settlements. — DayakDaily
