Bridge project set to benefit longhouse folk on other side of Sg Kanowit

0

Len (third right) presents a cheque to a landowner, as (from right) Allan, Alexander and others look on.

KANOWIT: The Nanga Machan Bridge, upon its completion, will not only provide convenient access to the local community, but will also boost the economic development in the area.

In highlighting this, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan says once open to public, the structure will connect the longhouse villagers on the other side of Sungai Kanowit with other places which currently, are only accessible via river transportation.

According to him, the works kicked off in April last year and should reach completion within two years after that.

“The project is under Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA).

“At the moment, the people here have to use longboats to get across (Kanowit River) to Machan Bazaar, SK Nanga Manggut and other places,” he said in his speech at the presentation of land compensation cheques totalling RM4.5 million to 130 landowners, at Kanowit District Office multipurpose hall yesterday.

Awang Tengah’s text-of-speech was read by Assistant Minister of Urban Development and Resources Datu Len Talif Salleh.

Adding on in his speech, the Deputy Chief Minister noted that the landowners from Ngemah and Machan state constituencies had been compensated for their land, which was acquired to make way for the three development projects slated for this district, including the Nanga Machan Bridge.

The other two developments are the construction of a 10.05km new road to Nanga Geremai costing RM37.3 million, and the setting up of a high-level water tank and also a pump station at Nanga Ngungun.

“Connectivity and utilities-related issues can be managed and solved more effectively with meticulous planning to ensure the welfare of the rural folk.

“Therefore, allegations by certain parties that these developments are landowners’ losses; that the government has robbed the people’s land; and that the land has been acquired without any compensation and notices, are baseless,” he stressed.

Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent, Machan assemblyman Allan Siden Gramong, Land and Survey Department Sibu superintendent Kiu Chiong Chong, as well as political secretaries to chief minister Maurice Giri and Petrus Igat, were among those present at the event.