MIRI, May 3: The construction and improvement work of the roads to Long Selaan and Long Moh, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year, is a significant development for the people of Telang Usan area, especially in reducing travelling time.
In a media release, Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) said this project will facilitate travel between the 12 villages scattered on one side of the Baram river and 10 villages located on the other side of the Baram river, thereby reducing travelling time by approximately five hours from Lio Mato to Long Silat.
Implemented by Highland Development Agency (HDA), the work involves the comprehensive upgrade of a 16km-long road from the existing 18.9km-long logging roads to Long Selaan, and the construction of an 8.2km-long new road from Long Selaan to Long Moh junction.
A new 250m-long spur road to SK Long Moh off the Long-Selaan-Long Moh route will also be constructed as well as the improvement of a 0.4km-long existing ex-logging road from Long Moh junction to Long Moh.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas visited the site today to monitor the progress of the project which also includes the construction of two main bridges crossing the Baram river at Long Selaan and the Moh river at Long Moh.
Recoda emphasised that this road also has the potential to be upgraded and become part of the Border Security Road in the future, crossing between Murum, Long Selaan, Long Banga, Bario and Ba’Kelalan.
HDA is a development agency established on July 12, 2017, which covers an area of 18,463km² encompassing Marudi, Telang Usan, Miri and Beluru, to implement infrastructure projects, especially roads and water supply, promoting economic growth and improving the quality of life for the rural communities in the highlands.
“Currently, HDA is implementing 50 infrastructure projects with a total allocation of RM1.5 billion by the Sarawak government.
“Out of the 50 projects, eight projects have been completed, 12 projects are under implementation, 20 projects are in the tender stage and 10 projects are under the design stage,” Recoda said.
In addition to that, HDA has completed the construction of the Integrated Highland Agricultural Station (IHAS) complex near Long Banga, Baram, functioning as a highland agricultural research centre as of September last year.
“The complex is under the management of the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (MiFICORD).
“The improvement and construction of roads to Long Selaan and Long Moh is another step towards the development of the Telang Usan area and improving the lives of the rural communities in the highlands,” Recoda added. — DayakDaily
