DALAT: Construction work on the 8.3km road connecting Kampung Tanam to Medong is progressing well ahead of its original schedule, said Assistant Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi yesterday. According to Julaihi, the first phase project was scheduled to complete by November 12 this year. “I wanted it to be completed before or on November 12 as scheduled because the contractor had been given 207 days Extension of Time,” he pointed out.
Julaihi stated this when inspecting the RM32.8 million road project accompanied by Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah yesterday.
“The first phase of the project is from Kampung Balan Seberang passing through Kampung Tanam Seberang and heading towards the main road behind Kampung Brunei Dalat.
“When completed, the villagers of Kampung Balan Seberang and Kampung Tanam Seberang will be able to drive directly to Dalat Bazaar instead of crossing Oya River by boat,” he said, adding the road would serve as an impetus to spur the social and economic activities in the affected areas. He added the state government is poised to have every settlement in the state to enjoy a good road connectivity to intensify the social and economic activities especially in the coastal and rural areas of Sarawak.
Meanwhile, Fatimah who is also Dalat Assemblywoman said the next phase of the road will involve Kampung Medong Seberang which is about 18km away.
“It is my greatest hoped that the project will connect to the farthest Melanau’s settlement in Dalat – Kampung Klid followed by Baoh and beyond,” she said. Also present were Mukah Works Department (JKR Mukah) Divisional Engineer Toh Chee Leong and JKR Mukah Project Manager Abdul Talip Jarni.