SIMUNJAN, Sept 8: Simunjan assemblyman Awla Dris says Kampung Sageng is in urgent need of an embankment along the river bank of Sungai Simunjan to prevent further erosion and to ensure physical connectivity within the village.
The said river bank erosion has been so serious that the road connecting to Kampung Sageng Hilir had partial collapsed and some villagers had to be evacuated and moved.
“I also propose an anti-erosion embankment to prevent further erosion along Kampung Sageng’s 720-meter bank.
“The erosion problem there has worsened, cutting off the road connecting to Kampung Sageng Hilir, and some villagers had to be evacuated and moved,” Awla was speaking during the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Simunjan Branch launching ceremony here this afternoon.
Awla hoped that the anti-erosion embankment project and other road upgrading projects can be included in the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA) project.
“I hope several upgrading and new projects would be included in the IRSDA project, especially the building of a new road connecting Kampung Sabun to the Simunjan Police Station.
“Also the major road in Kampung Nanas is now very narrow and poses a danger to villagers using the road.”
On another note, Awla revealed that this year’s Pesta Simunjan recorded an attendance of 10,000 visitors from outside the town.
This, he said, called for the festival to be included in the state’s tourism calendar, and at the same time, he requested that the site of the festival to be upgraded.
“The site of the festival along the 560-meter bank of Simunjan River has been previously upgraded with anti-erosion embankment costing RM13 million, and was completed last year.
“However, I hope that the state government would consider upgrading this festival site by building Simunjan Waterfront for future Pesta Simunjan,” said Awla. — DayakDaily
