Jabu cutting a ribbon to officially declare open the new bridge at Rumah Cosmas.
The new bridge at Rumah Cosmas.
BETONG: Suspension bridges in rural areas that are constantly battered during flash floods, will be replaced with a stronger structure elevated much higher above torrential rivers.
Out-going Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, said the new bridges would be built with stronger support so that it would not collapse in the strong river current if submerged.
The Layar incumbent cited the bridge at Rumah Cosmas, Meribong in Ulu Layar near here, which has seen three bridges collapsed over the years – with the latest incident in February last year.
A fourth suspension bridge, at a cost of about RM300,000, was built in December and completed within three months.
He added that the model will be used for other longhouses and villages to last longer.
“We have built a few of such bridges. We need to strengthen the structure because many of the previous set-ups elsewhere had collapsed by flooding rivers.
“We (must) make sure the suspension bridges are elevated higher to avoid the floodwaters,” Jabu said when launching the new suspension bridge at Rumah Cosmas yesterday.
Also present was his son Gerald Rentap, the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for Layar this election and Tuai Rumah Cosmas Rumpa.
Prior to the construction of the new suspension bridge, villagers used boats to cross the river throughout 2015. The previous bridge that was built in September 2014 only lasted some six months.
Touching on other development at Ulu Layar, Jabu mentioned that plans are afoot to upgrade the road network at Nanga Jelau, Jelau Atas as well as Batu Lintang.
He added that the government will continue to improve infrastructure and services in Betong, as demonstrated by the opening of its Rural Transformation Centre recently.
“We must continue to vote for Team Adenan as his Barisan governance will continue to implement projects in the rural areas. All this will benefit our children and grandchildren,” he continued.
Speaking of future generations, Jabu called on the people especially the elders to not refrain from dispensing advice to Rentap pertaining to local customs, culture and etiquette.
He then urged the people to voice their opinion to help Rentap improve the progress of the community as a political leader.