Permanent bridge for Sikuati villagers
KUDAT: A permanent bridge will be constructed soon to replace the collapsed wooden bridge at Kampung Korina, Sikuati.
Minister of Special Tasks, Datuk Teo Chee Kang, said the State Finance Ministry had confirmed that Kekal Mewah, the company responsible for repairing the bridge, would carry out the construction soon.
Teo, who is also Tanjong Kapor assemblyman, assured that the construction would be completed as soon as possible to restore convenience for the villagers.
He said this after inspecting the damaged bridge at Kampung Korina here recently.
Teo said the State Natural Disaster Relief Committee had allocated funds to rebuild the wooden bridge after it was damaged by floods early last year.
He pointed out that the wooden bridge was structurally sound but the design was not meant for heavy vehicles. Hence, he said the bridge collapsed when a fire truck attempted to cross it to rush fire personnel to their destination several days ago.
Nonetheless, Teo commended the villagers for their cooperation in building a temporary pedestrian bridge. Vehicle drivers, however, have to make a detour to exit the village for the time being.
Teo said he had pursued the construction of a permanent bridge with the Finance Ministry.
“The Finance Ministry has confirmed that Kekal Mewah will build the permanent bridge as soon as possible to restore convenience for the villagers.”
He added that the permanent bridge must be built higher than the previous wooden bridge so that fishing boats could pass through underneath it, and to prevent the bridge from being damaged by floods.
Also present were Tanjong Kapor community development leader Datuk Peter Chin Kee Yong, political secretary to the minister, Peter Chong Su Leong, liaison secretary to the ministry, Albert Kok and community leaders.