Promised projects being done, expected to be ready by end of 2020 — Henry
BAU: Three projects for Bau District, namely Buso-Musi bridge, Tondong- Seduku bridge and Bau District Office Complex are now being implemented and expected to be ready by the end of 2020.
Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep said these three people- centric projects costing almost RM20 million in total are implemented under the Sarawak government’s Rural Transformation Programme ( RTP).
He pointed out the people in Bau District are happy that the projects promised to them are now realised despite attempts by some groups who had circulated ‘surat layang’ ( poison letters) to instigate people to reject the projects.
“Never have we dreamed before that there will be bridges connecting Buso to Musi, and Tondong to Seduku. These two (bridge) projects approved by the Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, will provide connectivity and open up rural areas, and at the same time create more rural economic activities in line with rural transformation.
“As for the Bau District Office Complex, this is to replace the existing Bau District Office which is sited in an 88-year- old building that does not reflect the digital age. Therefore, we want a new building that has designs symbolising the local cultures such as the ‘ baruk’ structure, and with up-to- date facilities.
“The new three- storey complex will house more government offices. It is like a centre of command and administration for Bau as it is situated on a hill which is very significant and symbolic,” he told reporters after a briefing on the projects at Tondong, near here yesterday.
Henry, accompanied by Bau district officer Anielia Siam, had earlier visited the sites of the three projects and also witnessed the handing- over of work from Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak to the contractors.
The cost breakdown for the projects are RM3.88 million for the Buso-Musi bridge, RM10.59 million for the Tondong-Seduku bridge, and RM4.6 million for the Bau District Office Complex.
The Buso-Musi bridge is expected to be ready in March next year. As for Tondong- Seduku bridge and Bau District Office Complex, the scheduled completion is in 2021 but Henry said the contractors pledged to complete before the end of 2020 and he on his part will assist them to facilitate the completion.
On the ‘surat layang’ ( poison letters), he said these letters from anonymous sender(s) were discovered by him this week. He revealed these letters had tried to influence the people to oppose the projects.
“These ‘surat layang’ did not have name of the sender; why should we respond to them. These are the work of some people who do not want others to enjoy development, who want to continue to be backward,” he said.
Earlier, Henry in his speech said the chief minister will be invited to officiate the symbolic opening of these projects tentatively on Nov 20, 2020.
He also mentioned that in the past, the people from Singai used to take a boat from Tondong across Sungai Sarawak Kanan to Seduku, to get to Bau, likewise for the people in Musi, who crossed the same river to Buso, to get to Bau.
“Now, we are building the two bridges and therefore provide alternative roads for the people to go to Bau and cut short their journey. Once completed, I believe these bridges will attract more people to come to Bau.
“We thank the state government under the leadership of Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for approving these three projects. This is a historic moment for Bau. We also thank JKR for speeding up the project design and tender,” he said.