By DayakDaily Team
SONG, Aug 22: Development efforts in Song are taking shape across economic, infrastructure and education initiatives, with a RM4 million Jungle Produce Market, riverbank erosion protection works and RM50,000 in student incentives among the projects highlighted during Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi’s visit today.
In a Facebook post, he said the projects were aimed at addressing the needs of the local community while ensuring development in the interior progressed alongside other areas.
“Song has great potential in its agricultural, forest and local products. With the RM4 million Jungle Produce Market, I hope small traders and producers from the interior will have a more conducive platform to market their products, increase family incomes and drive the local economy.
“The more important thing is that it will provide a more comfortable, organised and suitable trading space for traders and residents, particularly those selling agricultural produce, forest products and local products,” he said.
The focus on improving livelihoods is accompanied by efforts to address infrastructure concerns, particularly along the Batang Rajang.
At Kampung Gelam, he inspected ongoing works to build a riverbank erosion protection structure aimed at addressing erosion that has long posed risks to nearby settlements and public facilities.
He said strengthening the riverbank was important to protect residents and infrastructure in the area, with the project expected to reduce the risk posed by further erosion.
“I hope the works can be carried out smoothly and according to plan so that the benefits can be enjoyed by the residents of Kampung Gelam as soon as possible,” he said.
While development works address the town’s physical and economic needs, Nanta, who is also the Kapit MP, highlighted support for Song’s younger generation through an education incentive programme held earlier in the day.
A total of 100 students received RM50,000 in incentives at the Song Community Hall, with RM25,000 contributed by Nanta and another RM25,000 by Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assan.
Nanta said the assistance was intended not only to ease the recipients’ financial burden but also to reinforce the message that their efforts in education were valued and supported.
He expressed hope that the students would continue pursuing their studies and eventually return to contribute to Song, Kapit and Sarawak.
The three initiatives form part of wider development efforts in Song, alongside projects such as Dataran Buah Dabai and the Song riverfront development.
Nanta said such projects should ultimately translate into tangible benefits for residents, whether through better facilities, stronger economic opportunities, safer surroundings or greater support for the younger generation. — DayakDaily
