By Johan Aziz

RM60 million allocated to upgrade Ulu Tomani road – Ismail Sabri

TENOM: Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday announced that the government, through his ministry, has approved a RM60 million allocation to upgrade the Ulu Tomani road in Kemabong sub-district here next year.

He said sections of the road that are in very bad condition would be given priority for upgrading next year and construction would be done in phases.

“We have included this road in the priority projects for next year, and I believe this road will take a long time to complete, especially in terms of preparation and so on. It may be partially completed next year and partly in 2017,”he told a press conference after attending a community event at Kampung Alutok Ulu Tomani yesterday.

Earlier in his speech at the event that was attended by about 2,000 people, Ismail Sabri said that the government through the 2016 budget had allocated RM5.4 billion to his ministry for development.

He said of the total, RM1.5 billion is allocated to Sabah where 28 percent of the total development budget is for the state to upgrade roads, water and electricity supply and housing under the Hardcore People Housing Programme (PPRT).

According to him, every year the government provides generous allocations for rural development.

“For the PPRT in this state alone, we have allocated RM50 million for new homes,” he said.

Ismail Sabri added the upgrading of the Ulu Tomani road project is a gift to Tenom member of parliament Datuk Raime Unggi, Kemabong assemblyman Datuk Rubin Balang and the people of this village.

“The government today has always been concerned about the rural population in terms of welfare. Under the ministry, we have a program not only of improving the infrastructure but also to increase the income of the rural residents. In terms of allocation, we give priority to rural areas,” he said.