Papar MP calls for speedy road upgrade as congestion worsens

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PAPAR: The government has been urged to expedite the upgrading of Jalan Papar Pengalat- Lok Kawi to ensure the maximum use of the road, especially during the festive season.

In making the call yesterday, Papar member of parliament Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin said upgrading the Papar Pengalat-Lok Kawi Road is a short-term solution to congestion while waiting for the implementation of the Pan Borneo Highway project.

She advised road users in the Beaufort and Sipitang District who are going to Kota Kinabalu to use existing alternative roads so as to ease the congestion along the Papar Pengalat-Lok Kawi Road

“We have been receiving many complaints from the public regarding the problem of congestion on the road concerned. Thus, I plead with the central agency to speed up the upgrading of the Papar Pengalat-Lok Kawi Road.

“This problem does not only affect the people of Papar but also those from other areas such as Sipitang and Beaufort,” Rosnah told the media at the Papar Hari Raya open house held at the community centre here yesterday.

Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman who gave out cash donations to orphans, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and other leaders.

In another development, Pantai Manis assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail said works on the Papar Esplanade were progressing well and a request had been made for additional funds from the central government to complete phase two of the project.

“Phase one is 60 percent completed, with an overall cost of RM10 million. It covers a length of about 700 meters from the fish market to SJK (C) Cheng Hwa. We are thankful that the project which was initiated since 2004, has now become a reality.

“For phase two, we recommend the construction of an esplanade and have applied for an additional allocation to complete the project,” he said.

Abdul Rahim said the esplanade would be equipped with facilities such as food and beverage outlets, a gallery and local information center.

“Among other things, the gallery will feature the history of the (Papar) bridge which is about 100 years old and traditions, apart from the cultures and ethnic groups in the district who have been living peacefully all this while,” he added.