By William Isau
SIBU, Aug 1: A Cabinet paper on the Rajang Delta Development Agency (RADDA) will be ready by the end of this month, says Datuk Len Talif Salleh.
Speaking at a press conference before a three-day RADDA development lab today, the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development said the paper would be presented at the Cabinet meeting for endorsement and approval.
“This working paper is part of the Cabinet paper of RADDA. We hope the people will support the government and the agency,” he said.
The Kuala Rajang assemblyman said the establishment of RADDA, which involves a cost of RM1.5 billion, covers an area of 10,786 sq km.
“There are a total of 11 State constituencies in RADDA covering Sarikei and Mukah and the west bank of Sibu with a population of 300,000,” he said.
The agency is a State-funded project in line with the Sarawak government’s desire to ensure that the rural area is not left out of development.
The five main strategies of RADDA include infrastructure development, utilities and digital telecommunication development, and agriculture (food basket development), economic, and social development.
“RADDA will be complementing other agencies in the development of the State, which include Ulu Rajang Development Agency (URDA), Highlands Development Agency (HDA), Samarahan Region Integrated Development Agency (IRSDA), and Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA).
“Not only that, the establishment of RADDA is important to strengthening the agencies involved,” he said.
The three-day RADDA development lab involved 200 participants from various ministries, agencies, government departments, and community leaders from the Sarikei and Mukah Divisions.
Also present were the Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information, and Ukas) Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Pakan assemblyman Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, Meradong assemblyman Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing, Meluan assemblyman Rolland Duat Jubin, and others. — DayakDaily
