KUCHING: Construction of the new Mukah airport will trigger massive economic activities in the district, says chief executive officer of Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot.
Recoda is an agency tasked with overseeing the development of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE). It provides federal funds to the state implementing agencies for SCORE development projects, such as to JKR for the implementation of the Mukah Airport. “The new airport represents a brighter future for Mukah. It will trigger massive development in Mukah located right in the heart of SCORE area. The new airport also helps to turn Mukah into a Smart City.”
He said since Mukah was also home to Recoda and SCORE’s central administrative base, the town would be primed to become the service hub and nerve centre for the corridor, with emphasis on three special areas, namely knowledge, human resource skill development centre; research and development; and administrative centre.
He said a bigger airport would not only offer greater connectivity for the people but it would also be a big boost to the overall economy of the town and the division as a whole.
He said this at a media conference after the contract signing ceremony between state Public Works Department (JKR) as project implementer and the contractor Hock Peng Furniture and General Contractor Sdn Bhd here yesterday.
“Upon completion, the new airport is expected to generate enormous economic value not only for the town but will represent a significant milestone in the development of SCORE,” Baya said.
He added that the greater ease and convenience of air travel afforded by the new and better-equipped airport would entice more people to come to Mukah, particularly investors and the business community.
“We can foresee that business in Mukah will benefit the most from the new airport”.
He also said the improved connectivity provided by the new airport would potentially generate more indirect and induced employment opportunities, such as jobs created by the proposed Mukah Human Resource Skills Development Training Centre, proposed Mukah Science Park and R&D Centre, proposed Matadeng Industrial Park, hotel, catering, retail good supplies and the tourism industry.