By Aini Selikang
SARIKEI: A total of RM1.6 million in compensation has been paid to 81 Native Customary Rights (NCR) landowners involved in the upgrading work of Jalan Pakan.
Seventy-three cheques for RM563,567.03 were handed over to 48 landowners connected with the construction of the Jalan Rumah Wilfred Uli/Rumah Panggai, Ulu Dayat.
Forty-one cheques for RM1,091,858.20 were presented to 33 landowners for the upgrading project of Jalan Pakan (Section 2).
According to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, the payments proved that the Sarawak government compensated all the affected landowners and paid fair and reasonable compensation to landowners in accordance with the State Land Code (Chapter 81) and Article 13 of the Federal Constitution.
“The Jalan Pakan upgrading project was implemented to straighten the road which was previously crooked and dangerous to road users.
“Meanwhile, the Jalan Rumah Wilfred Uli/Rumah Panggai, Ulu Dayat construction project has been implemented to shorten the villagers’ journey to Sarikei.
“Previously, residents in the areas had to go through Pakan to reach Sarikei for about 70km. Once the project is completed, the villagers will only travel 10km to Sarikei,” he said in a ceremony in Pakan here yesterday.
His text of speech was read by Assistant Minister of Urban Development and Resources Datuk Len Talif Salleh.
Tengah added the road construction would create employment opportunities for the surrounding population and would be the catalyst for economic development in Pakan.
Also present was Pakan assemblyman Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom.
