MCO-delayed Agro-CPCC in Lawas to be ready in December, says DCM
LAWAS: The completion date of the Lawas Agricultural Collection, Processing and Packaging Centre (CPPC) has been rescheduled to the end of the year due to delays caused by the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO), which took effect on March 18.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the RM3.9-million centre was supposed to be ready by April, but works had been delayed by the prolonged period of the MCO, which was enforced to stop further spread of Covid19.
“Currently the project is 83 per cent completed and the new date for completion is December this year.
“The Lawas Agricultural CPPC is expected to help farmers and fishermen expand the market for their products,” he said during a visit to the project site yesterday.
He said the centre would collect local agriculture and fisheries products such as durian, jackfruit, banana, coconut as well as fish and derivative products, including the smoked fish ‘ikan tahai.’
“CPPC is an integrated collection centre equipped with facilities for downstream processing and packaging in order to create products that meet export market standard,” said Awang Tengah, who is also International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Minister.
He said the centre signified the state government’s commitment to making Sarawak a major exporter of food products by 2030.
Also joining Awang Tengah in the visit were Limbang Resident Ahmad Denney Ahmad Fauzi, Lawas District Officer Ladin Atok, Limbang Division Agriculture officer (development) Jakaria Rambli and Limbang District Agriculture officer Doroup Mail.
Malaysia entered the Recovery MCO period on June 10, with more economic activities allowed to resume operations.
Prior to that, non-essential industries were ordered to shut down during the MCO period.