Baram now more accessible due to govt planning — Dennis

LONG LAMA, Baram: Through well-thought and strategic planning by the government, particularly in approving controlled logging licences, Ulu Baram, particularly Telang Usan constituency, is now more accessible in terms of road connectivity.

Even though it is still only accessible by four-wheel drive vehicles, the people can make trips in and out of the area more easily unlike when there was not even a foot of road in Baram.

Previously, if one wanted to come down to the nearest town such as Long Lama, Marudi or Miri for medical treatment or to buy essential items one had to wait for longboat owners to make a trip to take a ride on their boat. Life was so difficult then and people’s movements were very limited or restricted.

“Today’s generation must appreciate our former village leaders and the community at large during those times for being receptive and supportive to the government’s strategic overall planning to develop the state and Baram, taking advantage of what natural assets we have, despite their limited knowledge in longterm and physical development.

Today with a much improved economy, many of our people can now make travelling a personal matter as they have their own vehicles and make trips as they wish. Dennis Ngau, Telang Usan assemblyman

“Today with a much improved economy, many of our people can now make travelling a personal matter as they have their own vehicles and make trips as they wish,” Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said at a ceremony to erect and launch road signs at Long Lama on Wednesday, a project undertaken by Sabah Sarawak Gas Pipeline ( SSGP) especially for roads in areas that the gas pipeline passes through.

Dennis also said the government planned to connect all areas in Baram by all-weather roads, albeit in phases.

He added that as announced by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is the chairman of Highland Development Agency, infrastructure development especially road connectivity would be the priority of the agency.

“And to speed this up, one strategy being looked into is to upgrade the existing timber roads,” Dennis said.

Dennis expressed his thanks and appreciation to SSGP for providing continuous assistance to the community in Telang Usan.

“We in Telang Usan should count on our blessings because ever since this SSGP pipeline project took off it has brought numerous benefits to our people directly or indirectly like creating jobs and contract opportunities, given various trainings for community enhancement through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agendas and many more. I believe this will be on- going as long as the pipeline continues to operate.

“Therefore, I urge our community to work closely with all companies operating in our area including SSGP for long-term mutual benefits,” Dennis added.

At the same time, Dennis hoped that the local council would do its part in providing to the needs of the people in Telang Usan.

Also present were SSGP head of Operating Service Unit Suffian Sabeli, local heads of government departments and local community leaders.