By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 12: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has reassured Spaoh residents that the long-awaited Sungai Paku Bridge will be completed by the end of the year.
Speaking at a Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering organised by the Kampung Spaoh community, he said he also had the contractor’s reassurance following a visit to the construction site earlier this year.
The RM36.9 million 107 metre-long single-arch steel bridge, which was previously classified as a ‘sick project’, is now under a rescue contractor who was appointed in May 2023.
“If the RM375.5 million and 4.8 kilometre-long Batang Lupar 1 Bridge can be completed by the end of this year, I cannot see why the shorter and less costly Sungai Paku Bridge project cannot be completed at the same time.
“For the record, the Batang Lupar 1 Bridge will be the country’s longest bridge crossing a river when it is completed,” he said.
At the function, Uggah, who is also Bukit Saban assemblyman, announced several development projects costing RM91.5 million for Spaoh.
He said RM50 million had been set aside for a drainage and irrigation system at the Bebuling Agropark.
“Covering an area of about 1000 acres, it will house one of the largest greenhouses in the State. We have appointed three anchor companies to lead in its development. Hopefully, we will see this taking place within this year,” he said.
For Tanjung Sebekut, which has been designated as one of the rice-growing areas in the State, the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) agreed to allocate RM6.5 million to provide water and electricity.
“My advice is for all landowners to co-operate and support the implementation fully,” said Uggah.
He also disclosed that a new multi-purpose hall—to be named Dewan Arena Sukan Spaoh—worth RM25 million will be built, and will be able to accommodate more than 2,000 people.
On the Spaoh haemodialysis centre project costing RM5 million, he said it would be tendered out in June this year.
Meanwhile, hawkers and petty traders here will have an additional venue for their business with a new ‘pasar malam’ or ‘medan selera’ centre costing RM5 million.
Uggah also added that the Land Custody Development Authority (LCDA) is in the process of constructing 10 shop units in the town.
Betong MP Datuk Dr Richard Rapu, in his speech earlier, called on the people to continue to give their support to their leaders, especially Uggah, in bringing in more development projects. — DayakDaily
