Big Development Boost For Marudi
Date : 21 March 2019 Source : The Borneo Post Online
LONG LAPOK: Villages in the Baram constituency, especially those under Marudi, can expect better days ahead through various transformation projects set to be launched as early as this year.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said those living in rural areas deserve the same access to roads, electricity and clean water as their urban counterparts.
In announcing nearly RM300 million worth of projects for Marudi constituency during a visit here yesterday, he said it included new administrative offices for Beluru district and Lapok sub-district, as well as upgrading of roads in a number of areas.
“Beluru has been upgraded into a district but there is no administration office so far. Hence, I am allocating RM5 million for it to be built.
“The same goes for Lapok sub-district – RM5 million for a new administrative office,” he told a crowd of over 2,000 when officiating at the new SMK Tinjar school hall here yesterday.
He also announced RM2 million would go towards tar-sealing the road to longhouses along the Beluru-Long Lama road.
However, the biggest news was the approval of RM70 million for Phase 2 of the project to supply clean water from Lapok to Sungai Seruas.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari also announced allocations to build or upgrade churches here, including a multi-purpose hall for Lapok Roman Catholic Church (RM250,000); upgrading of Lapok Tua Pek Kong temple (RM170,000); construction of Borneo Evangelical Church (BEM) Bukit Lapok (RM200,000); construction of St Anthony Church Sungai Bain (RM250,000); and upgrading of St Mary’s Chapel Sungai Sebubu (RM150,000).
On SMK Tinjar’s hall which has yet to have its walls and stage, the chief minister said he has approved RM600,000 for the purpose.
“Apart from that, I am also approving RM600,000 for a running track to be built in this school.
“It will surely produce upcoming stars in sports like our footballer Joseph Kalang Tie. And this running track can be shared among schools here,” he added.
Other projects announced yesterday were RM4.5 million for the building of a new community hall in Lapok; RM15 million for a mini sports complex in Beluru; and RM6 million to supply clean water to Sungai Buri.
At the same event, Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, who is Marudi assemblyman, said Beluru, Lapok and other surrounding areas were definitely behind in terms of development and basic infrastructure.
“As a district, Beluru has yet to be equipped with a police station, fire station, clinics and other basic infrastructures,” he said before thanking the chief minister for approving the various grants.
Penguang added he hoped the Sarawak government would approve the upgrade of 25 schools in the constituency through the RM1 billion special fund announced by Abang Johari recently.
Among those present at the event were Utilities Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi; Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Baram MP Anyi Ngau and Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau.
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