‘Onus falls on federal govt to fix Tedungan-Pandaruan road’

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Dr Abdul Rahman (right), seen with (from left) Ahmad Denney and Paulus, hands over a campaign bag to a passing motorist.

LIMBANG: The federal government, through the Ministry of Works, needs to maintain the road from Tedungan to Pandaruan near here, which is badly damaged with many potholes.

Assistant Minister of Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said the increased traffic, especially of heavy vehicles, had contributed much to the damage. The worst affected sections are those from Tedungan, Batu Danau to Limbang town.

“The increased traffic, especially with many heavy vehicles plying the roads from Tedungan, Batu Danau to Limbang town, has aggravated the rate of damage to these roads, posing great danger to road users.

“Thus, the ministry needs to speedily find solutions to resolve such problems,” he told reporters at the Gawai/Raya Road Safety Campaign here yesterday, where Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang, Limbang Resident Ahmad Denney Ahmad Fauzi and local heads of government departments were also present.

Dr Abdul Rahman, who is Bukit Kota assemblyman, said Works Minister Baru Bian would need to source sufficient funds to maintain existing roads while waiting for the completion of the alternative routes bypassing Brunei, from Miri to Limbang and Lawas via Long Lama, Marudi, Bario to Limbang and Lawas.

Dr Abdul Rahman reiterated that a good road network would not only be a catalyst to development, but would also provide comfort to both local and foreign road users, besides minimising road accidents.

Meanwhile, Dr Abdul Rahman and Paulus both reminded motorists to be extra careful when driving, especially during the Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays, stressing that records had shown many road accidents occurred whenever there was increased traffic volume during festive seasons.

“Road users have to be extra careful while on the road, besides ensuring that their vehicles are roadworthy and that they have enough rest, to ensure their concentration whilst driving,” said Paulus.

During the road safety campaign, a total of 20 helmets and 150 campaign bags were distributed to road users.

The campaign was jointly run by nine government agencies, and was coordinated by the Limbang Division Road Safety Council.