KAPIT : Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi together with the state assemblyman for Bukit Goram Jefferson Jamit Unyat paid a working visit to Rumah Rambor Belansai at Nanga Melipis about forty minutes speed boat journey from Kapit down the Batang Rajang.
According to Nanta, the visit among others was to inspect the various projects implemented by the government at the various longhouses at Melipis area. The projects included ‘jalan desa/kampung’, iron jetty, cement path, solar telephone installed at Rumah Rambor Belans and to meet the grass roots on the ground to receive feedback from them on what are their priority projects/needs and to explain to them on the government policies as well as the current political-social, economic issues so that they are informed of the current issues.
At the ‘Leaders Meet The People’ session organised to coincide with his visit, Nanta who is Kapit Member of Parliament thanked the people of Melipisfor their full support to the government as shown in the last parliament election and state election. He thanked them to give him the full support in the parliament election and last year voted for Jamit in the state election.
On the road construction to link the longhouses, Nanta explained the government policy is to make use of the fund to construct gravel road first in order to reach out to as many longhouses in the rural areas as possible and later to apply for more fund to upgrade or tar-sealed the road. This is to benefit as many people as possible instead of just a short road to benefit a few people, Nanta pointed out.
“The government policy is to construct gravel road first to reach out to as many people as possible. Later on we could bid for more funds to further upgrade and tar-sealed the road. It would defeat the purpose to construct a few kilometers of first class road to benefit few people but many others were deprived of road connectivity.
“For example the 7.6 kilometre Jalan Melipis from Nanga Melipis to Ulu Melipis is a gravel road now connecting all the seven longhouses and everybody benefits because there is road that shortens their travel distance instead of pulling the boat up the river that is time consuming and costly,” explained Nanta.
At the function, Nanta approved the government grant to replace the worn out building materials of the eighteen door longhouse of Rumah Rambor.
Accompanying Nanta and Jamit for the visit were the Assistant Secretary of Kapit District Council, Kelimbik Sibat, Nanta’s administrative officer Sylvester Insor, Nanta’s Special Affairs Office Ambrose Abong Bugek, Penghulu Sia Shui Poh, publicity officer of PBB Bukit Goram Watson Awan and several community leaders and party members.
