Better road, street lights improve safety of villagers
PERMAISURI (Terengganu): Small projects to improve public amenities have produced good sentiments among rural folk.
Bukit Kemudu Village Development and Security Committee chairman Zahari Jusoh said a superior road, as well as better street lighting, had improved the safety of villagers.
“Accidents have been reduced with the new road and street lights,” he said.
Before the government carried out the improvements, he said there were six sharp bends along the village’s main road, which were accident-prone.
He said the problem first reached the attention of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, which had approved projects to install street lights and pave a 3km road.
“This benefited road users and improved their safety,” he said.
Meanwhile, Banggol Village Development and Security Committee chairman Mat Saufi Deraman said a clean water supply project in the village had provided villagers with access to safe drinking water.
He said the RM500,000 water supply project by the ministry was completed in September.
“The project to install a main supply pipe has enabled 40 people in Kampung Banggol Dalam and Kampung Maras to get access to clean water.
“Before this, they used water sourced from wells and rivers for their daily needs.
“They would face problems during dry seasons as most of the wells dried up, which forced them to travel far to get clean water.
“Things have improved for them and they can now get water supplied directly into their homes.”
Kampung Telela Village Development and Security Committee chairman Padzin Mohamood, 62, said the landscape around the village in Arau, Perlis, appeared modern due to new public facilities built under government programmes.
“In the past, only a dirt track passed through my village, but now the road is fully paved and it has street lights along the path,” he said.
Padzin said 20 years ago, the people encountered difficulties when carrying out their daily activities as the village lacked basic amenities.
“Back then, the villagers were afraid to go out at night as there was no street lighting.
“Now, almost all roads and side streets have lighting,” he said.