BETONG: The Bebuling STOLport is set to be operational by November this year, bringing air services to Betong and nearby areas through Sarawak’s own airline, Air Borneo.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas spoke to the media after inspecting three major projects in his Bukit Saban constituency today (Mac 14) to assess their construction progress.
The projects include the RM248 million Bebuling STOLport, which is now 73.77 per cent completed; the nearby RM16 million Bebuling Collecting, Processing and Packaging Centre (CPPC); and the RM36 million Sungai Paku Bridge.
“The CPPC is almost ready except for some touching ups that we need to do.
“Developed by the Regional Development Authority or RECORDA, it is to develop the about 1,000 acres surrounding the STOLport. We have chosen four companies to carry out various economic activities in the area.
“The CPPC will collect, process and pack their products and transport them by air to markets immediately,” he said.
On the Sungai Paku bridge, Uggah, who was accompanied by Betong MP Datuk Dr Richard Rapu, Public Works Department (JKR) director Dr Cassidy Morris and Betong Resident Richard M Abunawas, said it would be ready for use also by November this year.
The project is now 65.88 per cent completed.
Uggah, who is also the Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development, added that Sarawak is now in the process of really transforming itself.
“We have seen many major infrastructure projects being implemented in rural areas.
“Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg wants such projects to be carried out and successfully completed. He wants all rural areas to be linked with good road networks, including the bridges.
“These will assist in developing the economic potentials of such areas to increase the people’s income. For instance, we are building the coastal road and the second trunk road. We are also looking at the many timber roads,” he said.
He added that Sarawak is also constructing the Sarawak/ Sabah Link Road 1 at the cost of RM1 billion and the Sarawak/ Sabah Link Road 2 costing RM7.1 billion, stating that these were in addition to the 16 bridges it was constructing statewide.
“By this month soon, the Jepak Bridge in Bintulu and the Batang Rajang Bridge near Sibu will be open for public use.
“Then this coming April, the Saribas 1 will be ready while the country’s longest bridge crossing a river, the Batang Lupar 1 bridge, will be ready.
“The Lingga Bridge in Sri Aman is ready too but we are waiting for its access road on both sides to be completed,” he said.
