MIRI: The two-day value assessment lab for the proposed Miri-Marudi, Marudi-Mulu (Kuala Melinau) and Long Panai-Long Lama road project concluded successfully here today.
Deputy chairman of Highland Development Agency (HDA), Dato Gerawat Gala in his closing remarks said this project, once completed, would provide safe and reliable connectivity to the longhouses in Tutoh-Baram area and open up the area for greater economic activities for the benefit of the Baram communities.
“This project is a special project for the Baram-Tutoh area approved by the Chief Minister as part of the overall road connectivity network for the State.”
“It is over and on top of the RM1.5 billion allocation for HDA to implement 52 infrastructure projects in Baram which has never received so much development allocation from the government in the past,” he said.
Gerawat added that all the projects to be carried out under HDA, together with the other two development agencies under Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) – Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA) and Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) with a total allocation of RM4.5 billion, is proof of the Sarawak Government’s strategy and commitment to accelerate development in the rural areas.
On the two-day lab, he said it was to ensure this proposed project could achieve the best outcome and optimum benefit for all stakeholders including the local community.
The proposed project, which is expected to start at the end of this year will involve the construction of 160.5km’s length of single carriageway.
The construction, which is expected to be completed by 2027, will also involve nine major bridges and 14 minor bridges as well as one passenger terminal jetty.
RECODA is the implementing agency for the proposed project.
Also present at the two-day lab were Assistant Minister for Local Government and Housing, Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, State Assemblyman for Telang Usan Dennis Ngau and chief executive officer of RECODA Datu Ismawi Ismuni.