Pitas villagers clamour for completion of long abandoned road
PITAS: Villagers from seven villages in the district here have appealed to the government to continue with the construction of Pandan-Maliau-Pinapak Road, which they believed has been ‘abandoned' for the past 18 years.
The villages are Kampung Mandamai, Kampung Lugu, Kampung Perupok, Kampung Dowokon, Kampung Bambangan, Kampung Maliau Pusat and Kampung Layung.
A representative from the group, Mejol Sukuan, who is representing Kampung Mandamai and Kampung Lugu, said the road project was approved in the Seventh Malaysia Plan (1996-2000).
“The construction of the road started in 2000 and only three kilometres have been completed and sealed until Sungai Mandamai,” he said.
Another villager from Kampung Perupok, James Oransum, said he was baffled why the road had been abandoned for almost two decades.
“This road is very important to us because it connects our villagers to the school, SK Pinapak. This road is our main road to the town, and we are hoping that it will be completed as soon as possible,” he said.
Mokidin Masiau from Kampung Dowokon said the road is important not only to the school children but is also the quickest way for the villagers to bring their crops to Pitas town.
“It is also the main access road to the hospital in Pitas town,” he added.
A local leader, Maklin Masiau, had officially appealed to the government since 2004 till 2011 to continue with the construction of this strategic road but until today no response has been forthcoming.