DALAT: The state government is building one of the several missing links of the state, Batang Lassa Bridge, to speed up the development in the area and Sarawak in general.
Disclosing this on Sunday afternoon the Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg, pointed out that connectivity is very important in the effort of providing total development to Sarawak.
“We will build the Batang Lassa Bridge which is believed to be around 3.5 kilometres long, and to develop the whole state we have to do that because connectivity is very important. We know it would be very costly but it is necessary especially in our effort to transform the whole state,” he said.
And to realise it, he added, we had to use the new approach through what he dubbed as a `New Financial Model’ with Sarawak-owned bank to finance the project.
“That’s why we have to have our own bank, Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS), to finance all the identified urgent projects in the state. We can borrow the money from our bank, and pay it back on our capability. And one thing for sure, the interest charged by our bank would also benefit the state,” he said.
Johari said that besides Lassa, the state would also construct the bridge crossing Sungai Kemena to connect Bintulu Bazaar and Jepak which would also connect to Mukah.
The Chief Minister disclosed this while speaking at the Earth Breaking Ceremony of the construction of the Melanau Heritage Gallery which was held in conjunction with the Dalat District Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2017at Stadium Perpaduan, here.
Among those present at the function were Chief Minister’s wife, Datin Amar Dato Hajah Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Haji Bujang; Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development, Datuk Hajah Fatimah Abdullah; Assistant Minister of Wellbeing, Datuk Francis Harden Hollis; Tellian State Assemblyman, Yussibnosh Balo; Mukah Resident, Awang Johari Awang Mustapha; four political secretaries to the Chief Minister, heads of departments and local community leaders.
On Dalat, he had agreed the suggestion of developing the training centre, Centre Training of Excellence (Centrex) in this upcoming district.
“On the training centre of excellence, I am agrees to have it to be established in Dalat based on various factors to support it as was being highlighted by Datuk Fatimah in her welcoming speech just now. I believe it could trigger the development in Dalat and other nearby areas,” he reiterated.
And for the Melanau Heritage Gallery, Johari, had approved an additional allocation of RM2 million for setting up the centre to showcase the richness of Melanau arts, heritage and culture.
The auspicious occasion was attended by over 2,500 people from all walks of life was the first visit for Johari to Dalat since he took the helm of the state few months ago.
