State govt allocates RM85 mln for coastal road development

LET’S READ SUARA SARAWAK/ NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE E-PAPER FOR FREE AS EARLY AS 2 AM EVERY DAY. CLICK LINK

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg being briefed by Norwati Mohd Ali of JKR during the opening ceremony of Bako bridge. Also seen are from right Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Dr Hazland Abang Hipni and PWD Sarawak director Datuk Zuraimi Sabki.

KUCHING: The state government has allocated RM85 million for the construction of Buntal Bridge and a 8.5km-long access road from Kampung Bako to Buntal in Santubong.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is part of the government’s effort to further develop the coastal areas in Sarawak.

“When infrastructure developments in coastal areas are in place, it will definitely spur economic growth and the people can benefit from it,” he said during the launching of the Bako Bridge, yesterday.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg signing the plaque of newly opened Bako bridge, while from left Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Datuk Snowdan Lawan and Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar look on.

In view of that, the chief minister said there is already another plan, in which the government is the midst of planning how to connect Kampung Bako straight to Samarahan area.

“These are our plans… and we in GabunganParti Sarawak (GPS) are committed to carry out these developments.

“Therefore, it was wrong for certain parties to claim that infrastructure in the coastal areas are a waste of money,” he pointed out.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg with from left Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Datuk Dr Jerip Susil give the thumbs up as they walked along the Bako bridge after its opening ceremony.

Meanwhile, on the Bako Bridge, residents going to the mainland do not need to travel by boat anymore as they have direct land access now.

The 280-metre long two-lane single carriageway concrete bridge over Sungai Bako includes a construction of a 3.5km long two-lane single carriageway road connecting Kampung Bako to the existing Jalan Kampung Bako, and also drainage road furniture and utilities associated.

“This RM45 million project was approved by the late former chief minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem,” said Abang Johari.

In view of that he said the state government is also going to construct a 2km-long concrete road in Kampung Bako.

The construction of the Bako Bridge and access road to Kampung Bako was fully funded by the state government.

Construction of the project commenced on 3 March, 2015 and was certified for practical completion on 31 Jan, 2019.

Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Coastal Road Assistant Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Youth and Sports Assistant Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Transportation Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Santubong MP Datuk Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Hipni were among those present.