Rolland (fourth right) and local community leaders perform a ‘miring’ ritual.
JULAU: A steel bridge at Kubu Brooke, Nanga Meluan near here will be a catalyst of socio-economic development for areas across the Kanowit river.
In stating this when performing a ‘miring’ ritual at the bridge’s project site in the compound of Kubu Brooke near here yesterday, Meluan assemblyman Rolland Duat said the bridge would benefit longhouse folks who have vast areas of farm land across the river.
He believed the state government-funded project costing RM10 million would be a game changer not only for areas located opposite Kubu Brooke but also areas in Ulu Kanowit such as Ulu Mujok and Lijan areas.
Earth works for the much-awaited bridge project commenced early last December. The project is scheduled to be completed by early June next year.
Rolland (standing, seventh left) and other guests with residents of Rumah Jelian after the ‘leader with the people’ gathering.
However, Roland said he was informed by the contractor that the project could be completed by end of this year.
Later, during a meet-the people gathering at Rumah Jelian, Rolland informed that more projects would follow once the Meluan bridge is completed and open for use.
Among the projects, he added, are a road to Ulu Mujok for which RM50 million had been approved; a bridge across Sungai Bulo in Ulu Kanowit (RM650,000), phase 2 of Nanga Bulo/Rantau Limau road, and some roads under minor rural project (MRP) fund.
With these roads completed, it would then be possible to bring in treated water and electricity supply to these areas, Roland said.
He hoped Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg would make time to perform the pile-driving ceremony for the Meluan bridge and earth-breaking ceremony for other projects which had been approved.
Penghulu Robert Datu from Ulu Kanowit said residents of 12 longhouses in the area would greatly benefit from the bridge.
Rolland (standing, seventh left) and other guests with residents of Rumah Jelian after the ‘leader with the people’ gathering.
“On behalf of the residents from Ulu Kanowit, I would like to thank the state government for approving the project which we had been craving for since Malaysia was formed,” he said.
Robert, together with Penghulu Belawan Grinang, called on the local residents to take full advantage of the infrastructure project to utilise their NCR land for commercial farming and for land development under Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra).
Once completed, Meluan bridge and Ulu Kanowit road would shorten their travelling time to 45 minutes compared to two to three hours by boat, their current mode of transportation, he said.
Other longhouse headmen from the area who were given the honour to speak at the gathering pledged their full support to Rolland in the next state election.
Rolland was given the honour to commission the longhouse’s security and development committee (JKKK) activity Centre and kitchen built with his rural project (MRP) fund.
