KAPIT: Deputy Minister for Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi who is also Member of Parliament for Kapit, officiated Kapit District Council’s (KDC) fourth Local Agenda 21 and Community Development programme at Rumah Sekang@ Sigan Anak Renggie, Nanga Bawai, Baleh, recently.
The first such programme was held at Rumah Ansie, Nanga Sepajie, Mujong last March, the second at Uma Kelab, Bakun Resettlement Scheme, Sungai Asap last May while the third was at Rumah Melayu, Nanga Latong Katibas, Song last July.
Among the activities that coincided with the programme were preventive fogging, talks by KDC, Agriculture, Labour Department, Land and Survey, BOMBA, Bukit Mabong District Office, Police and Health Department.
There were also fire fighting demonstration, gotong royong to clean the longhouse surrounding, tree planting, children colouring contest and telematch.
Addressing the crowd at the function Nanta lauded KDC for its initiative to organise the programme for the rural community.
“This is one of the government’s National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) programmes through joint and smart partnership projects using the assets of various government agencies for the benefit of the people” Nanta said.
He was happy to note that the programme gave focus on health and environmental awareness in the rural areas involving the Village Security and Development Committees (JKKK).
On development, Nanta informed that the government strategy now gave focus on connectivity to connect the rural areas through R1 modified road standard, Civic Action Programme (Jiwa Murni), Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) and to upgrade the logging road.
“We want more connectivity to bring faster road development through R1 modified road standard, Civic Action Programme (Jiwa Murni), RTP and to upgrade the logging company roads,” said Nanta, adding that construction of standard roads takes time.
Present together at the function were state assemblyman for Pelagus Wilson NyabongIjang, political secretary to the Chief Minister Tapah Ata, KDC Walikota Philimon Nuing, deputy Walikota councillor Lawrence Listin Baling, council’s secretary Jabang Juntan, assistant secretary Kelmibik Sibat who is also the programme’s coordinator, community leaders, councillors, village headmen from nearby longhouses along Baleh and some 500 longhouse folks and invited guests.
Meanwhile Philimon who spoke at the programme thanked the JKKK of Rumah Sekang @ Sigan for their willingness to host the programme that provide an opportunity for the rural community to be close to the various government agencies and local elected representatives.
He also thanked the various government agencies for their close cooperation to provide talks to disseminate their roles and functions include new policies of their respective departments.
On the LA 21 programmes, Philimon disclosed that the council had proposed to organise the event at six state assembly constituencies in Kapit division namely Katibas, Bukit Goram, Pelagus, Baleh, Belaga and Murum this year.
“To date, we have organised four of the events with the first one at Baleh, second at Murum, third at Katibas (Rh Melayu in July) and the fourth at Rumah Sekang. Our next programme will be for Bukit Goram, tentatively to be held at Rumah Rambor Belansai, Nanga Melipis in October and at Uma Sekapan Panjang, Belaga in early November” he said.
He assured that the council would continue to carry out those programmes annually. “The venue and date for each constituency will be decided by the councillors later,” he said.
At the function, Philimon also announced a council allocation of RM10,000 for the JKKK of Rumah Sekang to carry out the necessary improvement to the longhouse landscaping and drainage system.
