LUBOK ANTU: Ulu Skrang villagers are grateful for the Gawai Dayak gift of Ulu Skrang road, thanks to a budget allocated by the federal government.
Construction on the RM38 million 50 km gravel road started in 2012. Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong said at the recent state legislative assembly that the road was 92 per cent complete.
Interviewed during a function at Darai, Ulu Skrang, the villagers said the long-awaited road had long been on their wish list, and they thank their assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa for it.
They said the road enable their relatives and family members to drive home to Ulu Skrang for Gawai Dayak. The only thing left are the bridges linking the roads but work has started on them.
Nudong Lias, who is a village headman (tuai rumah) of Nanga Murat longhouse said: “Rayong has done so much for my people which proves he cares for their well-being. I’m glad we voted for him,” he added.
Jelanie Renggan who is Darai longhouse tuai rumah said the people in his area were already celebrating.
“We used to walk for two to three hours to or from Murat longhouse (nearest settlement from their area near the main road) to travel outside Ulu Skrang. Now it only takes us half an hour go to Nanga Murat by car,” he said.
Velly Rabong, who is tuai rumah of Sungai Pinang longhouse, Ulu Skrang said bridges in the area would be the icing on the cake.
Rayong who officiated and attended the function in Darai said he was repaying the faith the people had in him by electing him a representative a few years ago.