15 roads approved for construction in Ba’ Kelalan
F ifteen road projects involving tens of millions of ringgit have been approved for construction in Ba’ Kelalan constituency this year, says its assemblyman Nelson Balang.
He said the road projects were among the much-needed and eagerly-awaited by the people in this rural and mountainous constituency. “With the implementation this year, it couldn’t have come at an opportune time,” he said during a recent interview.
He said that Ba’ Kelalan was among the most rugged places in Sarawak, where roads connecting the many villages and longhouses, and to Lawas, were very much in need but were lacking.
“Travel within the constituency such as from Lawas (town) to Long Semadoh, and from Ba’ Kelalan to Bario, for example, is always a big headache.
“Getting to town took weeks in the past and only a few places are accessible by the ‘Rural Air Service’, but it’s not cheap for the people, especially when there’s not much economic activity in the rural areas,” he explained.
Balang, who originally came from Ba’ Kelalan, said he had experienced first-hand the hardships his people were facing, where daily necessities such as sugar, soap and simple medications were so hard to get due to lack of road connectivity.
“That is why the local people are very grateful (to the government) now that roads are going to be built to connect the many villages and longhouses and also to connect them to Lawas,” he said.
According to Balang, the road projects would include building new ones and upgrading existing roads. The new roads are Pa’ Umor to Bario; SK/SMK Ulong Palang to Bario; Bario Airport road, Bario; Pa’ Dalih/Batu Patong/Remudu/Pa’ Mada/Bario; upgrading of Murud Suang, Trusan; upgrading of road to Kpg Bukit Batu in Trusan; upgrading of Kpg Long Suang road in Trusan; upgrading of Kpg Luagan and SK Luagan roads in Trusan; and upgrading of Lubok Abai/Ranau Baru road in Trusan.
Among roads scheduled for upgrading in the upper reaches of Trusan River are roads to Kpg Puneng Kelalan; SK Ba’ Kelalan; Kpg Long Lemutut; Kpg Pa Tawing; Kpg Long Merarap and the Merarap Hot Spring resort.
“With the roads I hope the people will be able to improve their income and also standard of living,” Balang said.
Besides roads, he also talked about electricity and water supplies, clinic, homestay, and the ‘Tagang’ system that would be implemented in his constituency this year.
For the electricity supply, which uses solar hybrid, Balang said that they would be installed in six villages - Long Semadoh Naseb, Long Sukang, Pa’ Ukat in Bario, Kpg Pa’ Umur, Kpg Baru and Kpg Padang Pasir.
The RM9 million-clinic would be built at Kpg Long Sukang under the 10th Malaysia Plan.
The decision to locate the Rural Growth Centre (RGC) and the ‘Pelita’ project in Long Semadoh was already in the final stage.
Balang said all these would not be possible if not for the Barisan Nasional government. He, therefore, urged the people to continue giving their support to the government of the day to ensure them a brighter future.
“This is only the beginning of more development projects to come in the (Ba’ Kelalan) constituency,” he said.
Sarawak tribuneSunday, 13 June 2010 16:42 Roger Duyong
Pembagunan seperti yang dicadang tersangat baik. Semula, seperti jalan raya, bekalan air bersih, sekolah dan hospital adalah tanggungjawab mana-mana negara atau mana-mana kerajaan. Bukan satu isu semasa, apa lagi negara kita sudah hampir seperti yang dirancang mencapai status negara maju.
BalasPadamKita bukan mahu sesuatu kerajaan yang mengajak kita ke bulan, kita mahu satu kerajaan yang yang mempunyai idea bagai mana kita baru boleh ke bulan.
Bila menilai perancangan-perancangan dan pembangunan-pembangunan yang tertara di atas, perlu ada peracangan yang sangat rapi dan menelan kos berbilion ringgit. Soalnya, dengan ada pembalakan sekaligus perancang jalan raya, mungkin kah ada peruntukan seperti itu? Di sarawak, jalan raya pekan ke pekan, bandar ke bandar belum mencapai status seperti semestinya...Apa logik kah jika jalanraya menghubungi dari kampung ke kampung??? Jika benar, ianya berlaku dan sepatutnya bermula 15 tahun yang lepas, selambat-lambatnya. Bukan sekarang bila masa perbubaran adun.
Lawas sudah berubah banyak dari mentalliti. Pembangunan seperti ini bukan lagi satu hal yang besar.
Setiap kampung ingin perhidmatan internate. Satu saluran yang cukup pantas, murah dan paling berkesan membangun sesebuah masyarakat dari dalam diri, memikiran terhadap pa aspek. Kita bermula dari yang murah, pantas, berkemampuan.
1Lawas bukan yang terbaik...LawasBaru impian Baru.