KAPIT: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg approved two development projects worth RM73 million for Kapit town on Sunday (Oct 4).
The projects are a new three-storey market worth RM15 mln and a RM58-million landscape and heritage project.
“You have very hardworking elected representatives here, each time they see me, they present me the development project paper. Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing (Baleh assemblyman) proposed to have a landscape and heritage centre.
“Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi (Kapit MP) and Bukit Goram assemblyman suggested to have a new market for the hawkers here so the people do not need to sell by the roadside anymore.
“So, I agreed to approve these projects because after all we have additional revenue of over RM3 billion from the state sales tax (SST) paid by Petronas and other oil and gas companies,” he said when officiating at the RM3 million Kapit Town Square.
He said with the extra income, the Sarawak government had the budget so it had no problem to further develop the town for the benefit of the people.
“Furthermore, the state is now experiencing rapid infrastructure development, as areas such as Matu, Daro, Mukah, Tanjung Manis, Igan, Sibu and Kapit are now well connected thus easing inter division travels for the people.
“Now the road is there, more people will travel from Sibu to Kapit because it only takes one hour and 40 minutes to arrive, just like from Kuching to Serian. With that, not only the locals but more tourists will come to Kapit,” he said.
Abang Johari added that the road to Nanga Mujong was also completed while Balleh, Belaga right up to Bintulu would also be connected.
The Kapit Town Square project was approved by the chief minister on 25 April 2017 and was completed on 15 Sept 2020.
Abang Johari was in Kapit as part of his motorcycle road expedition and official visits to the countryside. He made stops in Kanowit, Nanga Ngungun and Song during the 110 km journey starting from Sibu Jaya on Sunday morning.
Earlier, he also attended briefings on the proposed river bank and slope protection works at the existing Kapit Waterfront and the proposed market and recreational centre by the projects’ consultants.
