BETONG: All Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) projects slated for the year 2024 in the Bukit Saban constituency must be finalised by the year-end, according to Deputy Premier and Bukit Saban assemblyman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
This directive was communicated during discussions with the Resident’s Office, Public Works Department (JKR), Betong District Council, Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), and other implementing agencies.
He pointed out that historically, not all projects approved for a particular year could be executed within the same year; usually, their implementation would extend into the following year.
“For example, 25 RTP projects scheduled for 2023 in the Bukit Saban area, intended to be executed that year but, due to various reasons, were deferred to the current year.
“It is crucial that what is planned in a given year is implemented in that very year. When the people are informed of project approval, their expectation is for the project to be completed in the same year.
“Similarly, as representatives of the people, we also have the same expectations. We are not satisfied if it cannot be implemented in the same year,” Uggah said after attending the Engagement Programme with the Betong District Council and the Village Safety and Development Committee (JKKK) for the RTP projects in the DUN Bukit Saban area at the Spaoh District Office on Thursday (Jan 11).
He mentioned that a total allocation of RM6.5mil would be utilised for implementing projects in DUN Bukit Saban in 2024.
This includes RM5mil from his own allocation for RTP projects, an additional RM800,000 allocation from the Betong MP for RTP projects, and RM700,000 allocation for the People-Friendly Project (PMR), also from Betong MP Dr Richard Rapu.
Meanwhile, Uggah, who is also the Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, once again shared with JKKK about the government’s new policy implemented a few years ago, allowing a project to be carried out through community collaboration by JKKK.
Through this approach, he explained, a JKKK for a village or longhouse could decide whether they wanted to adopt the community collaboration method.
“This means they, who will manage the project, may choose to find subcontractors themselves. However, there is a procedure, such as conducting a meeting for everyone’s approval, then informing the implementing agency that they agree to collaborate communally.”
He said the communal collaboration method allows JKKK itself to monitor the quality of a project to ensure it is executed with quality and according to specifications.
At the event, 18 project offer letters for RTP projects from the Betong District Council were handed over to JKKK for communal implementation.
Also, the handover of Minor Rural Project (MRP) cheques to the Sports and Recreation Club of the Spaoh District Office, Gerempung Tuai Rumah of the Spaoh District Office, Gerempung Tuai Rumah Rimbas Ulu, and Gerempung Tuai Rumah Layar Ulu took place.
Present at the event were Dr Rapu; Roseline Mapong, a political secretary to the Sarawak Premier; and Betong Resident Richard Michael Abunawas.
