by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 18: The Public Works Department (JKR) is expected to issue the tender for the construction of a new bridge across Sungai Sengayan in Long Jekitan next month, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak’s Premier Department (Labour, Immigration, and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala says.
According to a report by Bernama, Gerawat said he had previously requested for the construction of a new bridge as a safety measure for the villagers, as the previous wooden bridge had collapsed and could no longer be used.
“Villagers can still cross the river during low tide, but we hope they won’t take the risk during heavy rain or strong currents,” he told reporters at the RECODA Rindok Raya event yesterday.
Gerawat said this following a tragic incident where nine-year-old Vallerie Mentie Dawellies was found drowned, swept away by strong currents while attempting to cross Sungai Senganyan with her father 46-year-old Daweillies Luing, and mother Litun Ajip on Sunday (April 13).
“I feel really sorry for the families. It is so unfortunate that we have lost two lives already and it is really regrettable. We are doing all that we can to help search for the missing victim,” he said.
Daweillies, his wife Litun Ajip and daughter were in a four-wheel drive vehicle with a driver when they attempted to cross Sungai Senganyan before strong currents swept the vehicle away.
Litun and the driver managed to swim to safety but Vallerie was found drowned while her father is still missing. Search operations for Daweillies remain ongoing. – DayakDaily
