More funding needed for poverty eradication — Ewon
KOTA KINABALU: Rural Development Minister Ewon Benedict said that more funding from its federal counterpart was needed for poverty eradication and various other economic development programmes through the Mini Estet Sejahtera (Mesej) programme.
He explained that programmes such as Mesej and various other economic developments could help decrease the poverty level in the State especially in Kota Marudu and Pitas.
“Therefore, I will bring this matter to the Cabinet and also to the Federal Rural Development minister Rina Mohd Harun to ask for an increase of funds for various economic developments so that more programmes such as Mesej can be implemented for betterment of the people.
“From what we see in the statistics, there is a significant decrease of poverty level in Kota Marudu and Pitas where mostly the participants of the Mesej programme are also registered under the E-kasih programme,” he said.
He said this after a two-day working visit to the Kampung Kotud Rubber Plantation Mesej Project in Kota Marudu, Kg Tukar Palm Oil Plantation Mesej Project, Kg Kobon Sejahtera Project and Kg Kiandut Swiftlet (Burung Walit) Mesej Project in Pitas.
He added that the implementation of various economic development programmes such as the Mesej by the government has helped the very impoverished poor people to get out from the poverty level.
Also accompanying Ewon in his visit were Assistant Rural Development Minister Hj. Dumi Pg Masdal, Pitas Assemblyman Datuk Bolkiah Ismail, Rural Development Ministry (KPLB) Deputy Permanant Secretary, Sualim Sanan and Pitas District Officer Bubudan OT Majalu.
During his two-day visit, he visited various Mesej Projects in Kota Marudu and Pitas such as Rubber Plantation, Palm Oil Plantation, and Sejahtera project to monitor the KPLB development projects.
Ewon stated that the State KPLB will conduct a meeting with the Federal KPLB to discuss on the status of several rural development projects in Sabah including the State Rural Electricity Supply (BELB) which has been designed by the previous government.
He stressed that this is important to ensure rural development programmes including basic facilities such as Rural Clean Water Supply (BALB), Rural Roads (JALB) and BELB will really benefit the rural community in the state.
He added that Kg Kobon which is under the Sejahtera Project still lacks basic facilities such as road and electricity. Its road is in disrepair and needs work and upgrading.
“KPLB Sabah will implement the maintenance and repair of the 2 km road to this village using the remaining funds available for the Kampung Sejahtera Programme under KPLB Sabah.
“While the rural electricity supply for Kg Kobon and 23 other villages in Pitas will also be taken care of.
“As a minister, it is my responsibility to do a follow-up with the Federal KPLB and discuss with them,” he stated.