WALKING THE TALK: Nanta (fourth left) with sub-contractor Bangsa Untang (on his left) and others inspecting a project which formed part of the Jalan Kapit/Song/Kanowit road.
KAPIT: Work on the Jalan Kapit/Song/Kanowit project, which is one of the promises made the government under its National Key Result Area (NKRA), has started.
Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said clearing for the alignment of the project and basic earthwork had started.
“The alignment clearing (of the site) has already reached Rumah Baja, Nanga Nyikau and Batang Rajang,” he told reporters at Bletih after being briefed by the contractor Bangsa Untang of Untangjaya Sdn Bhd.
Nantan said work started sometime last month.
“The road project’s contract is for a period of 24 months, effective March 2012. Phase I, costing RM16 million, is to construct a 1.9 km road.”
Nanta added that the consultant was also in the process of designing the remaining part of the road.
“It’s all in progress. We are not talking just about road construction but also its design as the whole project involves land acquisition and compensation to the affected landowners.”
Nanta told those present that the road was clear proof that the BN government does walk the talk.
“There shouldn’t be any more issue about the road. People must understand that the work is in progress. Tender has been called, in stages.
“For the next phase, Phase 2, from Nanga Nyikau to SK Sunagi Yong, Batang Rajang, tender has been called and closed.
“The distance is 10km, and from there it will go on to Nanga Ibau and Song Bazaar.
“At the same time, there’s a road project from Song Bazaar to Tamalat. It’s 7.7 km long, and forms part of this Jalan Kapit/Song/Kanowit project.”
Nanta hoped that local contractors would be given priority attention when tenders
were called for the different phases.
During a leader-meet-the-people session in Song a year ago, Minister of Regional and Rural Development Datuk Sri Shafie Apdal had announced this RM80 million road project. He later performed the earth-breaking ceremony.
On April 14 last year, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, during his walkabout at Kapit bazaar, had also talked about this project.