KAPIT: Over 2,000 residents from five longhouses, including those in the Baleh Settlement, Rh Belaja, Ng Benin, Ng Pelagus and Pelagus Resort, are set to benefit from the new road project scheduled for completion in April 2027.
According to federal Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, the construction of the 7km road, which involves two bridges, will cost approximately RM70 million.
“The project has been re-tendered to a new contractor since the original contractor’s contract was terminated,” he said in his official Facebook post on Friday (Jan 10).
Earlier, an earth-breaking ceremony for the new road project connecting Jambatan Baleh/Rh Belaja, Ng Benin/SK Ng Pelagus/Pelagus Resort under the Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA) – Phase 1, Section 1, was held.
He also said that although the road construction length for this project is relatively short, it requires a significant budget and a construction period of three years due to the challenging terrain in the area.
“Once this project is completed, it will complement several other projects being carried out in the surrounding areas, including by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development.
“It will also ease the burden of residents who currently rely on logging roads as the villages here are quite remote.
“As I have often emphasised, I advise the appointed contractor to complete the project perfectly within the stipulated timeframe and avoid requesting extensions of time (EoT), thus helping to save government funds.”
Nanta, who is also the Kapit MP and chairman of URDA, said that he will ensure several other infrastructure and road construction projects under URDA receive the necessary funding to complete the road network in this area.
“I am confident that when several projects in the surrounding areas are successfully completed in the next two to three years, they will be a significant contribution to the residents from Kapit to Belaga.”
