Nanta, Jamit hold gathering with villagers at Rumah Rambor Belansai
KAPIT: Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi and Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat recently paid a working visit to Rumah Rambor Belansai, Nanga Melipis about forty minutes speed boat journey from here down the Batang Rajang.
At the ‘ Majlis Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat’ attended by the longhouse folks, Nanta, who is Kapit MP, said the purpose of the visit was to inspect the various projects implemented by the government at various longhouses in Melipis area and to receive feedback on the needs of the people besides explaining government policies and the current political, social and economic issues.
At the same time, Nanta thanked the people of Melipis for giving full support to the government as evidenced in the last parliamentary election and state election which saw them voting for him and Jamit respectively.
On the road linking the longhouses, Nanta explained that following the government policy, the road would be gravel-surfaced first and would be upgraded and tar- sealed when funds are available.
“Government policy is to construct gravel road first to reach as many people as possible. Later, the road will be upgraded and tarsealed. It would defeat the purpose to construct a few kilometres of first class road to benefit few people but deprives many others of road connectivity,” he said.
As an example, he said the 7.6km Jalan Melipis from Nanga Melipis to Ulu Melipis, which is a gravel road, now connects all the seven longhouses and benefits the villagers who previously travelled by boat along the river besides shortening the travel distance.
At the function, Nanta approved a government grant to replace the 18- door Rumah Rambor.
Meanwhile, Jamit announced that a reinforced concrete ( RC) jetty would be built at Nanga Melipis under his funding.
“From the visits to various longhouses at Melipis, the people have requested for the jetty. The RC range jetty shall be constructed under my funding for the benefit of the people. The public Works Department will carry out the survey work, design the jetty and estimate the cost of the construction,” he said to the relief of the longhouse folks.
Kapit District Council assistant secretary Kelimbik Sibat, Nanta’s administrative officer Sylvester Insor, Nanta’s special affairs officer Ambrose Abong Bugek, Penghulu Sia Shui Poh and PBB Bukit Goram publicity officer Watson Awan were among the crowd at the gathering.