Abang Johari (second right) listens to an exhibitor at the Inovasi@Simunjan programme yesterday. Also seen are (from left) Abdul Karim, Naroden and Nancy.
SIMUNJAN: A total of RM55 million have been allocated to supply clean water to villagers in Lubok Punggor, Lubok Buntin and Tanjung Sap and to prevent further soil erosion along rivers here and in Gedong.
Of the amount, RM30 million is to implement pipe water supply in the three areas while RM10 million will be allocated to Simunjan and RM15 million to Gedong for the soil erosion preventive works.
“Besides the allocation, the state government has also identified a location to build the Batang Lupar bridge, a mega project which is expected to cost around RM1 billion,” said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the ‘Inovasi Rakyat@Simunjan’ programme held at the multipurpose hall here yesterday.
Future expansions, he added, would be to link the coastal highway to the Pan Borneo Highway.
“With the completion of the coastal highway, this would open up more economic opportunities to the people especially those living in the rural areas,” he said.
Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dato Sri Nancy Sukri, who is also Batang Sadong MP, highlighted that Simunjan was still in the backwaters of development as compared to other districts in Sarawak.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Entrepreneur Development Datuk Naroden Majais, Assistant Minister of Coastal Road Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Simunjan assemblyman Awla Dris and Sadong Jaya assemblyman Aidel Lariwoo were also present at the function.