By DayakDaily Team
MIRI, April 30: A 35-kilometre road stretching from Long Aya to Long Sobeng in Tinjar will be upgraded under a RM133.4 million project expected to be completed within 30 months, paving the way for greater economic growth and improved connectivity for communities in the interior.
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the project would create new development opportunities and boost the income of villagers living along the route.
“The project alignment covers the route from Long Aya to Long Sobeng, Tinjar, with an estimated length of about 35 kilometres, which will be upgraded according to the JKR R1 Road Standard,” he said when speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed upgrading of the existing road from Lapok Junction to Long Puoh today.
Besides road upgrading works, the project also includes the construction of four steel composite bridges, namely the 40-metre Sungai Aya Bridge, the 54-metre Sungai Sepidik Bridge, and two 30-metre bridges at Sungai Sobeng.
Once completed, the project is expected to directly benefit about 2,714 residents from longhouses along the route, including those in Long Aya, Long Sobeng, Long Dunin, Long Pejawai, Long Aton, Long Nuah and Long Puah.
The Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development said the project would further strengthen connectivity within the Telang Usan area by improving access to essential services such as education and healthcare.
“It will also ease the transportation of local goods and agricultural produce to nearby markets such as Long Lapok and Long Lama,” he added.
The project is among the initiatives implemented under the Highland Development Agency (HDA).
Also present were Baram MP Dato Anyi Ngau, Telang Usan assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau, Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) chief executive officer Datuk Ismawi Ismuni, and political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak Dominic Nyurang Ajang. — DayakDaily
