Ranau villagers grateful for Inap Desa Tourism Project
RANAU: The residents of Kg Kilimu here welcome the launch of Inap Desa Chalets in their beloved village, which they believe would spur much-needed tourism and economic development involving their community.
Ranau MP Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin announced on Friday (16 March) that the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKLW) had approved an allocation of RM680,000 for the implementation of the Inap Desa Tourism Project under the Desa Lestari Programme in Kg Kilimu.
Ewon said the decision to select Kg Kilimu for the project will enhance its tourism development prospects and help boost its economy, as well as creating employment and business opportunities for its youths.
Aside from the development of the chalets, Koperasi Kilimu Jaya Ranau Berhad also received provision to purchase a van to accommodate the transportation rental needs in the effort to attract more tourists to visit Kg Kilimu and the Inap Desa Chalets.
“I am very grateful for this project. I am extremely thankful to the government for conducting such programmes,” Margaret Surugau, 43, said.
She believed the project would give Kg Kilimu the economic boost that they need as there was much room for improvement in the village.
Margaret, who has been residing in Kg Kilimu since birth, said the government had always been helpful towards her community.
She said such projects would serve as an avenue to create more job opportunities for the youths of Kg Kilimu.
Sylvester Anggau, 41, has also expressed his joy when met by reporters at the launch of the Desa Lestari project on Friday.
“Our job as villagers is to further develop this project. The government is the one who comes to us to grant this project.
“They (the government) come to us because they know that there is unity in our village,” he said.
Sylvester said the KKLW had always supported the people of Kg Kilimu all this while.
However, he said that none of this would happen without the hard work of the villagers themselves.
Asked about the other needs of Kg Kilimu residents, Sylvester said he would like to see a proper hiking trail being developed in his village. He explained that the relevant committees of Kg Kilimu are currently trying to obtain approval for the said project.
In his speech at the event, Ewon said Koperasi Kilimu Jaya Ranau Berhad will continue to open its doors for the community of Kg Kilimu to participate in the said project.
He disclosed that as of 2017, KKLW had allocated a total of RM7.9 million for the development of Desa Lestari project in seven villages across Sabah. The other six villages are Kg Batu Puteh Sandakan, Kg Berundong, Kg Seri Serbang Papar, Kg Suasa Beaufort, Kg Tampi-Tampi Darat Semporna and Kg Marak Parak Kota Marudu.
Ewon expressed his gratitude to Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and KKLW secretary general Datuk Borhan Dolah, who was present at the event, for giving him the honour to officiate at the event.