By DayakDaily Team
LUNDU, Aug 29: Construction of the much-anticipated Selampit Bridge, with a budget of RM27.94 million, is set to begin in October following the completion of compensation payments to affected landowners in September.
Opar assemblyman Billy Sujang revealed that Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak issued the Letter of Award (LOA) for the Kampung Selampit Bridge project to the contractor on Aug 21, 2024.
“The contract period commences on Sept 4, 2024.
“The bridge construction is expected to take three years, and we hope it will proceed smoothly without any obstacles,” he said in a news report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) today.
He made these remarks while visiting the families affected by the recent Sungai Kayan boat tragedy, which claimed the lives of three young students.
The visit took place at Kampung Bitokan, across the river from Kampung Selampit in Lundu, and included the Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
Additionally, it was previously reported that due to the new location of the bridge, an additional RM17 million was allocated, with all costs covered by the Sarawak government.
The urgency for the bridge project has heightened, with many locals believing that the recent tragedy could have been avoided if the bridge, initially approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP), had been constructed earlier to connect Kampung Selampit and Kampung Bitokan.
During the visit, Sagah handed over contributions from the Ministry’s Sports and Recreation Club and Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) to the families of the three victims.
He also presented Takaful school insurance assistance to the families and distributed school bags and supplies to the affected and surviving students.
On Aug 20, a boat carrying around 20 passengers, including many students and a motorbike, from Kampung Selampit capsized while crossing Sungai Kayan to Kampung Bitokan. The accident occurred at approximately 6.10am, throwing everyone on board into the water.
While 13 students and other passengers either swam to safety or were rescued, three secondary school students from SMK Senibong—two girls aged 14 and 17, and a 15-year-old boy—tragically lost their lives. — DayakDaily
