06 May 2011
MUKAH: Ahmad Bedu, 73, does not understand much of what the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score) masterplan is all about.
But one thing’s for sure, the Melanau tribal chief, from Badong Daro in Daro, near here, is enjoying the spillover from the proposed project with the completion of an 88km road that connects Tanjung Manis to Sibu recently. The road has drastically reduced travelling time from his hometown to Sibu by four hours.
Ahmad said in the past, he would take the seven-hour ride on an express boat to reach Sibu from Daro.
“Each time I had to go to Sibu, I will have to leave home as early as 4am,” said Ahmad, who is extremely happy with the latest infrastructural development in his village.
He said he dreaded the long boat journey as he feared for his life in case emergency struck.
“Imagine if someone is down with serious illness and had to undergo the painful journey to get to the Sibu Hospital.
“I prayed for my safety and that of other passengers. It is not that it’s unsafe, but the long journey on water can be quite scary because of highcurrent at certain parts of the river.
“I also prayed that the government would build a road for us in Daro and now, my prayers have been answered . ” The RM500 million road includes the construction of three bridges across Sungai Igan, Sungai Serdeng and Sungai Lebaan.
Construction work started a few years ago and it is in the final stage of completion for most parts of the road, which ends in Tanjung Manis.
The road links Matu, Daro, Meradong, Belawai and Sarikei to Sibu and the potential for new towns in the central region to become new growth centres is tremendous.
Syalabiah Aidet, 18, from Belawai described the road as a blessing.
“A few years ago, studies were carried out on the road, but it was too expensive and difficult to build. “We are glad that the Barisan Nasional government has made it possible for us to have a safer link to travel .” Like Ahmad, Syalabiah was also hopeful that the road would create new economic activities for her villagers.
“We have many farm produce and poultry products to sell and now we can actively participate in the lucrative trading activities in Sibu.” Self-employed Hasliani Hassan, 35, said there had been significant developments in the state over the past 15 years.
“Now, we have more and bigger schools, and better health and medical facilities. The BN state government is very concerned about the welfare of the people.
“Even in the interior, we are not left out or neglected from the mainstream development taking place in the towns and cities
Read more: RM500m road thrills villagers
http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/RM500mroadthrillsvillagers/Article/#i...
NEW STRAITS TIMES
2011/04/12
By Adie Suri Zulkefli
adie@nst.com.my
