PANTU, Sri Aman: The Batang Strap bridge is a vital link between Pantu folks and their relatives at the other side of the river bank, said Penghulu Entika Senan.
ON THE SPOT: Entika (second right) and Lee (left) giving a briefing near the Batang Strap bridge in Pantu.
The 180.8 metre bridge costing some RM20 million is expected to be completed by August this year.
However, works could be delayed as the site is often hit by flash floods, said the engineer in charge of the project Hong Ching Siang.
The bridge is undertaken by PPES Works and sub-contracted to Juru Marina Sdn Bhd.
“We hope that the government will construct the road when the bridge is completed and link Pantu to the other side of the bank. This will allow us to be closer to our relatives and also to develop more land,” Entika told The Borneo Post Adventure Team (BAT) here yesterday. He disclosed that once the bridge is completed, a road could be built to link them to areas such as Lingga, Semawah, Kerangas, Mungu Sawa, Muding, Mentu, Tuba and Engkeranji, with a total population of about 5,000.
“This is the reason we trust only the Barisan Nasional (BN) to deliver these projects to us. We have been strong supporters of the BN all these while,” he revealed.
He added that currently there are already timber roads linking the villages which are only passable by four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Beside the bridge and the roads, Entika also appealed to the government to build a secondary school in Pantu to cater to the needs of the growing population.
“Currently we are sending our children either to SMK Melugu, SMK Simanggang or SMK Balai Ringin.
“It would be less expensive for us if we have a secondary school here,” he said.
He also highlighted that the people of Pantu also need a community hall.
Meanwhile, Kapitan Lee Kim Onn of Pantu said the people in the area requested Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to continue leading the state.