By Amanda L
KUCHING, Nov 9: The Sarawak government has secured approval for the Labang Bridge, with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg expressing hope of returning to the area when the project is ready for opening.
“Earlier, I was briefed that after the bridge in Sebauh was completed, we had obtained approval for another bridge in Labang.
“When I come here again, perhaps we will be able to open another bridge, namely the Labang Bridge, as well as continue with the road projects we have decided on,” he said during the opening ceremony of the Batang Kemena Bridge today.
Abang Johari also outlined the State Government’s plans to improve rural road connectivity by taking over responsibility for more than 5,000 kilometres of logging roads and allocating funds to upgrade them.
The move would allow rural communities, particularly longhouse residents, to use the roads without depending on logging companies for access or paying tolls.
Recalling a discussion with Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Abang Johari said he had asked whether the State government had sufficient funds to undertake the extensive upgrading works after being informed that the logging roads covered more than 5,000 kilometres.
“God willing, as long as I am still capable of thinking, we will provide allocations to upgrade these logging roads,” he said.
He said the move would ease the burden on rural communities by ensuring the roads remained accessible without them having to depend on logging companies for maintenance.
“That is why we want to take over the responsibility so that the people can use these roads free of charge, without having to pay tolls and we will upgrade them using State Government allocations,” he said. — DayakDaily
