RM42 mln infrastructure for Mantanani Island
KOTA KINABALU: Mantanani island in Kota Belud will be enjoying more development as the Federal Government has allocated more than RM42 million to build infrastructure like houses and a medical facility there.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said that the allocation is for the construction of a clinic, PPR houses, a waste management system and a modern jetty on the island off Kota Belud.
“Today we announced a RM5 million clinic and a PPR development project which is initially estimated to cost RM18 million. We however expect the PPR project to cost more as the estimate was for houses built on the mainland,” he said after officiating at the RM2.84 million solid waste management system on Mantanani island yesterday.
“Now with the extra cost to transport the building materials over to the island, the cost of the PPR may double,” he said.
The Kota Belud Member of Parliament added that a modern and sophisticated jetty has been planned for the island and it is estimated to cost about RM17 million.
On the mainland, Abdul Rahman said that there is a budget of about RM20 million to build and renovate the old market into a handicraft market and for the construction of a bypass.
“Kota Belud is developing and its tourism sector is booming. There are about 700 visitors to Mantanani island on a daily basis and during peak season the number can reach up to 2,000 people a day.
“So there is huge potential here and we do this on the basis that we have to maintain the sustainability of Mantanani as well as provide an alternative for tourists to visit and enjoy,” he said.
He also disclosed that they are looking at developing Mantanani island under BIMPEaga’s initiative and by doing so it will get publicity in the Philippines, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.