KUCHING, Oct 5: The newly formed Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) has set the ball rolling with the creation of relevant working committees to facilitate and ensure all projects will be completed as scheduled.
Its chairman and Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas emphasised that timely delivery of projects is crucial to prevent negative public perception in this increasingly digital world where bad news spreads faster than the good.
“The GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) government’s objective is to develop Sarawak and thus, we must implement projects which we expect to be completed in time as per people’s expectations.
“But if these are delayed, for instance up to four or five years, we as the leaders will be negatively affected and ‘pening kepala’ (headache). We will be criticised. Now is the world of social media. One small mistake and it will go viral for the whole world to see,” he said when closing the Agency Development Strategy 2030 Laboratory here today.
With that, Uggah has urged for a detailed plan to be drawn up, including work timeline and cash flow to ensure all projects can be completed on time, which remains a top agenda.
On the roles of the committee members, they are tasked to review and evaluate all proposed projects for implementation, ensure there is no duplication of them with those from other government departments and agencies and closely monitor the progress of implementation.
Layar assemblyman Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu has been placed in charge of infrastructure development; Saribas assemblyman Mohd Razi Sitam on social development; Krian assemblyman Friday Belik on agriculture development; Beting Maro assemblyman Razaili Gapor on industrial and commercial development; Kalaka assemblyman Mohamad Duri on utilities and telecommunications; Kabong assemblyman Mohd Chee Kadir on tourism and environment; and Lingga assembywoman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor will look after the Wanita Committee.
Uggah also called on the respective chairmen to form their own committees soon as well as to come up with their work plans and cash flow programmes for their proposed projects.
“We can then forward our project requests to the State Financial Secretary for the fund. We must not forget we are not the only regional development agencies bidding for the fund.
“The more organised and systematic we are in the presentation of our budget, the more likely we are able to get the funding fast,” he reminded. — DayakDaily
