MUKAH: The Tellian Floating Market was launched here on Saturday amid the nationwide economic slowdown nationwide and to support the seven components of the newly introduced development initiative, namely MukahXtra.
Tellian assemblyman Yussibnosh Balo when officiating the launch said that he hoped the project would generate an economic spin-off effect, pointing out that apart from implementing the physical development, there was also a need to look into the socio-economic life of the people.
According to him, necessary effort was needed to get people involved in the development process. If not, there would be a risk of locals being mere spectators to the development happening at their place.
“This is one of the reasons for introducing the Tellian Floating Market, which will support the seven MukahXtra initiatives — Xtra Culture, XtraTourism, XtraCreative, XtraYouth, XtraEconomy, XtraLocal and XtraSafe.
Taking Pekan Sabtu (Saturday Market) in Oya as an example, he hoped that the Tellian Floating Market would be operational during the weekend or public holidays.
Yussibnosh revealed that as the landing ground of the floating market is located on the government road reserve, he promised to discuss the matter with the Land and Survey Department soon.
He said there was also a need to protect the river (Sungai Tellian) and the environment as the floating market was a riverside activity.
Yussibnosh explained that Sungai Tellian, which is home to seven villages, like the seven components of MukahXtra, needed to be kept clean regularly.
The seven villages are Kampung Tellian Daya (Tellian Ulu), Seri Tellian (Tellian Tengah), Tellian Laut, Pegei, Sungai Ragei, Datu and Penakub Hilir.
The Tellian assemblyman hoped that besides the floating market, Sungai Tellian could also be used as a place for visitors or tourist to enjoy fishing activities.
Yussibnosh said he looked forward to introducing the floating market in other areas in Tellian constituency in future such as in Sungai Petanak, or Sebakong in upper Sungai Mukah.
Acting Mukah district officer Peleadzman Ahip, pemanca Mohamad @ Jali Kawi, ketua kaum (KK) Bonaventure Juana Lupuih, KK William Laju and KK Sukor @ John Batin also attended the event.
