GEDONG: Gedong will be strategically and centrally located to become a new focal point in the area after the completion of two road projects here – the first from Lubok Teranggas to Gedong and the second from Gedong to Ulu Simunjan.
Gedong incumbent Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais said upon the completion of both projects, Gedong would be closer to Kuching and more people would pass by Gedong.
“This means that we should view these developments as an opportunity for us to change our way of life in the future.
“This road network will definitely have a positive impact not only for Gedong constituency but also for the surrounding areas including Samarahan, Simunjan, Sebuyau, and the interior areas,” he said.
He said this at the earth-breaking ceremony of the road from Lubok Teranggas to Gedong, which was officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at Dewan Terbuka Gedong here on Wednesday (Nov 17).
Naroden, who is also Assistant Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development, said Gedong’s improved accessibility would also encourage the youth working in urban areas to return to Gedong or Simunjan.
He said the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA), chaired by Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah through the Public Works Department (JKR), was currently conducting a study for another mega project from Gedong to Ulu Simunjan towards Kampung Batu Pengansah and Kampung Samalatong.
“This road will certainly shorten the journey from Gedong to the interior region and it will shorten the time taken for residents here to seek services in the future,” he said.
He said all these should be seen as an opportunity to meet the needs and desires of the increasing number of people coming to the area.
“However, our area still needs much more development. Development is a continuous process. As long as our population here grows, the greater their needs and we have to plan for this and fulfil these needs,” he said.
He said this included increasing housing areas, economic development, village expansion, and so on.
Naroden also recalled Gedong’s development over the years from back when it was just a remote village, with its residents relying on agricultural, fishing, and logging activities, and which only had basic infrastructure and facilities at that time.
He said following the state election in 1991, the state government back then had built an 8km road of JKR R3 Standard at the village towards Kampung Gumpey. Besides that, he said the main road from Gedong to Triboh was also upgraded and tarred.
“In 2015, a road from Gedong to Simunjan was also constructed and completed in 2016. In the same year, clean water started to be supplied directly into Simunjan town when a high-level tank was built,” he said, adding that water tanks were also set up in the riverside areas here.
Meanwhile in a statement elaborating on the road from Lubok Teranggas to Gedong, JKR said residents around Gedong would be able to enjoy the convenience of this shortcut to Kota Samarahan once the 6.85km road project with JKR R3 Standard along with two RC bridges were completed.
It said the objective of this project was to shorten the travel distance and travel time for residents around Kota Samarahan and Kampung Gedong area from 82km (an hour and a half) to 52km (50 minutes), thereby improving traffic movement in the areas.
JKR added the project under the state government would benefit approximately 4,633 residents around these areas.
It said the starting date of the project was July 28 this year and it was expected to be completed by Jan 27, 2024.
JKR also stated that the consultant for the project was Perunding Timur (S) Sdn Bhd and the contractor was Bispuri Sdn Bhd.
