KUCHING: Six out of 37 development projects under the Upper Rajang Development Agency (Urda) will commence this year.
Yesterday, Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) signed the contracts with the respective contractors.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, who is also the chairman of Urda, witnessed the ceremony.
“The development projects will improve the road connectivity within Urda areas,” he said.
Masing said the first phase of projects, which involved the six projects, would be carried out first.
“The remaining projects will start after the design phase is completed.”
The development projects in Urda areas covering 41,000 sq km include Kapit, Kanowit, Song, Belaga, and Bukit Mabong are to be completed within these two years (2019-2020) on a fast-track basis.
“All the projects need to be completed quickly at the same time without compromising the standard and quality.”
Masing said once the projects are completed, it would benefit 24 longhouses within the area and also spur economic growth.
“The land will be developed… most importantly is accessibility, that is roads and bridges need to be created first, then only agriculture and other beneficial activities can come in.”
Masing said the whole area under Urda would be transformed, including Sungai Tunoh in Kapit, which would see the construction of a RM100 million airport in the near future.
He said the road linking Song to Kapit is under construction and would be completed by next year, and also accessible from Kuching by road.
On the six projects, Hock Seng Lee Berhad is in charge of the construction of the Ng Machan bridge and upgrading of roads costing RM24,698,000. The project is scheduled to be completed in 18 months.
Hanayin Engineering Sdn Bhd will construct the new road covering 10.05km to Ng Geremai, Kanowit, costing RM37,302,460.
WHE Contract Sdn Bhd will be the contractor to handle the upgrading of 12.3km of a former logging road to Scheme Tunoh, including the replacement of one bridge. Project cost is RM45,149,252.
Davilla Construction Sdn Bhd will construct the proposed new access road to Tunoh Scheme covering 2.7km. Project cost is RM13,716,561.
Kemudi Harta Sdn Bhd and Bumi Utara Construction Sdn Bhd will handle the upgrading of 4.2km of R1 road standard access road to Uma Sambop and upgrading of existing village road to SK Long Urun respectively, costing RM15,563,166 and RM1,927,531 respectively.
Also present yesterday were Recoda chief executive officer Datuk Ismawi Ismuni and Urda board members, who are Urda deputy chairman and Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi and Assistant Minister of Water Supply and Belaga assemblyman Datuk Liwan Lagang.
