COMMUNITY EVENT: Manyin (third right) jointly launches the event with (from left) are Ali, Abdul Karim, Aidel, Rubiah, Abdul Rahman and Julaihi.
ASAJAYA: The federal government has approved RM150 million for the construction of the Batang Samarahan bridge.
Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato Sri Michael Manyin said the project, which is still under the tender stage, is expected to be completed in 2016 or 2017.
He said the bridge would benefit the people in Samarahan, who have been using ferry services for decades.
“I would like to announce here that the government has approved a sum of RM150 million for the construction of a bridge across Batang Samarahan, and this is a special gift for the people in Sarawak, particularly in Samarahan,” he said, when officiating at the Samarahan Regatta 2013 at Kampung Tembirat Waterfront yesterday.
Manyin said the project is in line with the government’s objective to intensify rural development.
He pointed out that the government is also working to improve communication services in rural areas.
“For this reason, the government through TM (Telekom Malaysia) is making an effort to extend the service network in every area in the state,” he explained.
He called on the people to continue giving strong support to Barisan Nasional (BN) to ensure the development process runs smoothly.
“Strong collaboration between the people and the government will definitely hasten the pace of development, thus giving benefits to the people,” he stressed.
Among those present were Assistant Minister of Rural Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Assistant Minister of Housing Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Kota Samarahan Member of Parliament Rubiah Wang, Muara Tuang assemblyman Dato Sri Mohammad Ali Mahmud, Sadong Jaya assemblyman Aidel Lariwoo and Samarahan Resident Abdul Rahman Sebli Senusi.