KUCHING, July 15: Road construction projects in the highlands of Miri division, which started earlier this year, are progressing despite being delayed a few months due to the Movement Control Order (MCO).
According to the Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) in an online statement, most of the work on the sites involved clearing, earthworks and drainage.
Among these projects were improvement of existing access roads to Daleh Long Peluta, Long Miri and Uma Bawang; improvement and construction of roads within Long Lama and Long Bedian; improvement of the access road from main logging road to Long Semiang; and improvement of the existing road from Long Banga Junction to Pa Dalih.
Recoda emphasised that with 12 road projects currently under construction, people in Miri, Marudi, Telang Usan and Beluru districts will soon enjoy better roads once these projects are completed in the next two years.
Other than these 12 projects, eight more road projects are still at the design stage while another seven are at the tender stage.
Meanwhile, feasibility studies are being carried out for 20 water supply projects. As for power supply, one project is still at the design stage while another project is at the tender stage.
All these projects with a cost of RM1.5 billion are under the purview of the Highland Development Agency (HDA).
Once completed, Recoda revealed, these projects will ease connectivity and bring economic activities to the areas.
The areas under HDA covers approximately 18,463 sq km with an estimated population of 100,000. — DayakDaily
