LAWAS: Bridges not only facilitate travel but also economic activities especially agriculture, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan pointed out.
According to a report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), he said suspension bridges were constructed for the convenience of the people here.
“They are vital as facilities to allow villagers to cross over rivers as well as making it easier to cultivate and transport their agricultural produce.
“At Sungai Batang Trusan alone, there are already nine suspension bridges which have been implemented with an average cost of between RM150,000 and RM200,000,” he said.
Awang Tengah said this at a press conference after officiating at the suspension bridge at DA Sango Recreational Park and Homestay, in Trusan here on Monday (Feb 8).
He informed that Deputy Minister of Rural Development II Datuk Henry Sum Agong, who is also Lawas MP, had also implemented the construction of seven bridges in Lawas Damit.
“At Semadoh, eight bridges have been completed and there are four suspension bridges in Ba’kelalan,” he said.
The Bukit Sari assemblyman said that apart from bridges, a few other development projects were also implemented in the Sungai Batang Trusan area.
“Some tar roads at Sungai Batang Trusan have been damaged and the state government will upgrade these roads to address the people’s needs.
“The same goes for the water supply project which will be implemented to cover all areas upstream of Sungai Batang Trusan. The works are already under implementation now with some having been completed and some are still at the planning stage,” said Awang Tengah.
He said there were also plans to install a booster station to improve water supply in the upstream area of Sungai Batang Trusan, adding that this would be done with the allocation approved by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Also present were Henry, Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang, Limbang Division Resident Ir Ahmad Denney Ahmad Fauzi, Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) director Datuk Ubaidillah Abdul Latif and Lawas district officer Ladin Atok.
