SPAOH: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas is upset over Agro Bank’s indecision to reopen its branch here.
He said the indecision had deprived the people here of a very essential service.
“I met some community leaders here and they too expressed their disappointment over the matter.
“The branch was closed down when the old sub district office where it was located had to be demolished to make way for a new office a few years ago.
“The new office is now ready and the community here expected the bank to reopen its branch. But sadly, this has yet to happen and they are still waiting,” he said.
Uggah who is Bukit Saban assemblyman said he and Betong MP Dr Richard Rapu had done their part in getting the branch to reopen.
“I had a number of discussions with officers from the bank. Dr Richard had also raised the matter in parliament.
“We even offered them a place. The bank officers had requested one of the Betong government agencies to have a fixed deposit account at the bank.
“So the Betong District Council had a few years ago deposited RM2 million in compliance with the condition for the reopening. But sad to say until now nothing has materialised…. no follow-up,” he said.
Uggah added initially the bank officers had proposed reopening in one of the shoplots here.
“They then also suggested doing so in the new sub- district office. They even scouted for a possible site at the Community Digital Centre and at the new Spaoh market.
“An offer was made to them to take up a space at one of the new shoplots… even to the extent of reduced monthly rental or no rent all at.
“But there is still no decision. So I am appealling to Agro Bank, please stop the dilly-dally as there are office spaces available.
“Please solve your problem(s) whatever it may be. This is afterall not about opening up a new branch but reviving a former one,” he said.
Earlier, Uggah who was on his weekly visit to his constituency visited a pilot green house project at SMK Spaoh.
He was happy that the fertigation project had developed well with vegetables and chilly planted.
“This is actually meant to be a showcase of modern farming to the people here.
“I hope the school authority can do hydroponic farming as well. And I will do my best to support this undertaking,” he said.
