BETONG: The Spaoh airport in Bebuling near here is expected to materialise within five years from now.
The STOLport (short takeoff and landing airport) will cost the state government RM108 million.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Department of Civil Aviation would need time to make the necessary arrangements for it to be operational in addition to its actual construction period.
He said this at a town hall session themed “Today for Tomorrow” with over 1, 200 youths in the division at the Stephen Kaling Ningkan Hall yesterday.
The airport will cost the state government RM108 million.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Assistant Youth and Sport Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat and Petrajaya MP Datuk Fadillah Yusof were among those present.
Abang Johari said with the Sri Aman, Betong and Sarikei Divisions having huge potentials in agriculture as a state food basket area, the airport was a logistical a necessity for fresh farm products to reach the markets soonest.
“But we must approach the food basket development along modern agriculture using, for example, the Internet of Things (IoT) and the fertigation system.
“And modern agriculture is the base to strengthen our economy. We have the comparative advantage as we have plenty of land,” he said.
Elaborating, he said the state too would set up more agroparks to assist landless farmers, more collecting, processing and packaging centres (CPPCs), besides providing the relevant training to the youth.
“We are now developing new agroparks in Mukah, Sri Aman and Betong. We also want our people, especially the youth to go into the sector.
“We will use the new approach within the next two years. We have clear policies to help them but existing farmers must be prepared to accept modern technology,” he said.
Abang Johari said Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah too was now trying to convince the people that the agriculture sector was one that could generate good income with the state aiming to be an exporter of food and food products by 2030.
He said in order to open up new areas for agriculture and to reach out to new markets, his government would improve road networks.
“This is why we want to build the coastal trunk road in addition to the Pan Borneo Highway.”
Uggah thanked the chief minister for allocating RM20 million to help fishermen buy new equipment.
The amount is in addition to the federal government aid to them during the monsoon season, he said.
He also thanked Abang Johari for approving RM5.2 million to build an innovation centre at a new site here.
On modern agriculture concept, he said there were now two model fertigation farms with rain covers at Simpang Layar and at SMK Spaoh to show the people how the system worked.
“We are as well waiting the state government’s decision on setting up an agropark in Debak.
“In view of the many projects coming our way I hope the people will continue to remain united and to give their fullest support to the state government.” he said.
Also present at the town hall were assemblymen Razaili Gapor (Beting Maro), Mohammad Razi Sitam (Saribas) and Allan Siden (Machan).
Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu was the session moderator.
