KUCHING, March 15: The Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) is ready to begin implementing its first tranche of projects, totaling RM740 million.
According to a press statement from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) Sarawak, BDDA chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said all Sarawak assemblymen from eight constituencies (including himself from Bukit Saban) have identified and finalised their priority projects.
“They have finalised their first tranche (of projects) costing a total of RM740 million,” he said at the closing of BDDA’s third project implementation workshop here today.
Uggah, who is also the Deputy Premier of Sarawak, expressed hope that they can start the implementation by August this year or even earlier.
“Some of these projects which we have planned, they are ready to be implemented after our meticulous preparations.
“Now all of us are waiting for the decision from the Sarawak Financial Secretary (SFS) to inform us when we can begin,” he added.
Uggah also revealed Betong residents had been informed of BDDA, its objectives and in particular, its budget of RM1.5 billion.
“Yes, we and them, we are all very anxious to see its projects taking shape on the ground.
“There is no duplication of projects with regard to those normally approved by other government agencies and departments in the division,” he explained.
Furthermore, Uggah who is also Sarawak MIPD Minister, said the BDDA committee would plan its second tranche of projects by May this year.
Meanwhile, he called for total cooperation from all involved in the implementation, which include the implementing agencies and the people themselves.
He added after the first tranche which consisted of infrastructure projects, the next should touch on socio-economic and tourism initiatives.
“These are equally important as we want to increase the income of the people and upgrade their well-being and living standard,” he noted.
Also present were former Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang and the respective assemblymen from Layar, Krian, Saribas, Kalaka, Beting Maro, Lingga, and Kabong. — DayakDaily
