Masing (sixth left), Nanta (seventh left) and others in a group photo at the Katibas bridge.
SONG: The federal government has been asked to speed up the construction of the 15km bypass road connecting Ngemah in Kanowit to Temalat in Song.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing said the people from Kapit and Song could not afford to wait another three years for the full completion of the 87km Kapit/Song/Kanowit Road.
He said the road from Song to Kapit which was currently under construction was expected to be completed by the end of next year, and when the road is eventually completed, the people from Kapit would be able to drive their vehicles to Song.
“The problem now is they are not able to drive to Kanowit because of the 15km bypass linking Temalat-Ngemah that needs to be done. Of the 15km bypass, the most critical part is the 9.6km and the construction of the stretch had been tendered up.
“I was told by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development that an allocation of RM150 million for the 15km bypass is already here.
“Let us assume that the tender is awarded in October this year, the road then will be completed in three years’ time,” he told a press conference after his working visit to check the Katibas bridge project yesterday.
Cassidy (third right) presents a memento to Masing as Nanta (second left) and others look on.
Construction of the bridge, stretching 330 metres across Sungai Katibas, was started in 2014 and completed in July this year at a cost of RM71.5 million.
Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation and Baleh assemblyman, said currently the people from Kapit and Song used the oil palm road and logging track to get to Ngemah in Kanowit.
He said whether they liked it or not, the people had to use the 21km earth road.
“Therefore, I would also suggest to the federal and state government to allocate funds to improve the road so it will be safer for people to use for the next three years.
“There is no point to say Kanowit and Katibas bridges are completed if the 9.6km stretch of Temalat/Ngemah bypass is not done,” he said.
Among those present were Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Katibas assemblyman Datuk Ambrose Blikau Enturan, Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit, Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang and Machan assemblyman Allan Siden Gramong.