SPAOH: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas reassured Spaoh sub-district folks that their long-awaited Sungai Paku bridge here will be completed by the end of this year.
Speaking at a Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering organised by the Kampung Spaoh community on Saturday, he said he had the assurance too from its contractor during a visit to its construction site early this year.
The 107-metre-long single arch steel bridge costing RM36.9 million was once a sick project.
A rescue contractor was appointed in early May of 2023 to continue with the construction.
“If the RM375.5-million and 4.8-kilometre long Batang Lupar 1 bridge crossing the Batang Lupar can be completed by the end of this year, I cannot see why the shorter and less costly Sungai Paku bridge project cannot be completed at the same time.
“For the record, the Batang Lupar 1 bridge will be the country’s longest bridge crossing a river when it is completed,” he said.
At the function, Uggah who is Bukit Saban assemblyman, announced several development projects costing a total of RM91.5 million for Spaoh.
He said a sum of RM50 million had been set aside to do drainage and irrigation system at the Bebuling Agropark.
“Covering an area of about 1,000 acres, it will house one of the largest green houses in the state.
“We have appointed three anchor companies to lead in its development. Hopefully, we will see this taking place within this year,” he said
For Tanjung Sebekut which has been designated as one of the rice growing areas in the state, the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA) had agreed to allocate RM6.5 million to bring in water and power supplies.
“My advice is for all landowners to fully cooperate and support the implementation,” he added.
Uggah also disclosed that a new multi-purpose hall will be built here.
He said the hall to be named ‘Dewan Arena Sukan Spaoh’ would cost RM25 million to build and could accommodate more than 2,000 people.
On the Spaoh haemodialysis centre project costing RM5 million, he said it would be tendered out in June this year.
Meanwhile, hawkers and petty traders here will have an additional venue for their business with a new ‘Pasar Malam/Medan Selera’ centre costing RM5 million.
Uggah also informed that the Land Custody Development Authority (LCDA) was in the process of constructing ten shop units in the town.
