The very rural state population, particularly in the constituencies of Telang Usan, Mulu and part of Marudi have been crying for better roads.
Telang Usan Assemblyman, Dennis Ngau said the people accepted gravel roads for a start as long as these roads can be used and not affected by weather when they would be slippery and impassable during wet seasons and dusty and very dangerous during dry days.
“Our hope and prayers were answered though slowly with some upgrading of former logging roads in the two constituencies of Telang Usan and Mulu,” he said in his speech in support of the motion of thanks to TYT’s speech at the DUN sitting here, yesterday.
According to Dennis, the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKLW) has spent RM69 million to upgrade 150 kms of former logging roads to more than 20 longhouses in the Telang Usan and Mulu constituencies.
He said another RM52 million is being spent by KKLW to upgrade another 108 kms of former logging roads in Telang Usan and Mulu constituencies to link more longhouses.
“These roads will be handed over to the Public Works Department (JKR) for maintenance after they are completed.
“Another RM70 million is going to be spent by KKLW to upgrade another 199 kms of former logging roads in Telang Usan and Mulu constituencies. These roads will also be handed to JKR for maintenance when they are completed.
“In total KKLWwould have to spend RM191 million to upgrade 377 kms of former logging roads in both the Telang Usan and Mulu constituencies. These roads have been handed over to JKR Sarawak for maintenance but we understand JKR does not have allocation for maintenance of these roads,” he explained.
Dennis added that without clear government policy on the maintenance of these roads and as a result of ‘passing of the buck’ between the relevant government departments, these roads will not be maintained.
“Over time the condition of these roads will deteriorate to such an extent that the cost to repair or restoring these roads including bridges will be astronomical. Our people who depend on these roads as their only access to towns will suffer serious consequences,” he said.
Dennis also stressed that the amount mentioned for the upgrading of roads in Ulu Baram sounded huge but in actual fact the amount is just like a drop of water in the ocean.
“Surely it must be the government long term plan to further upgrade these roads to concrete or tar roads to ensure continuous and long term benefit for our rural and very rural population which is an affirmation of the government’s policy of focusing on rural development to reduce the gap between rural or very rural and urban development,” he said.
