TENDER FOR LONG JEKITAN BRIDGE PROJECT OUT NEXT MONTH

KUCHING, April 17 (Bernama) – The Public Works Department (JKR) is expected to issue the tender for the construction of a new bridge across Sungai Sengayan in Long Jekitan, Baram next month.

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala said the request for a permanent bridge had been made earlier as a safety measure for villagers needing to cross the river.

“We had applied to build a bridge because the area is a logging route, and the wooden bridge there has collapsed and can no longer be used.

“Villagers can still cross the river during low tide, but we hope they won’t take the risk during heavy rain or strong currents,” he told reporters at the RECODA Rindok Raya event here today.

Gerawat was commenting on a recent incident involving a villager swept away by strong currents while trying to cross Sungai Sengayan on Sunday night.

He said the authorities are doing their utmost to locate the missing victim, Dawellies Luing, 46.

“I feel really sorry for the families. It is so unfortunate that we have lost two lives already and it is really regrettable… we are doing all that we can to help search for the missing victim,” he said.

Dawellies, a staff member of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Jekitan, was in a four-wheel drive vehicle with his wife Litun Ajip, their daughter Vallerie Mentie, nine, and a driver when they attempted to cross the river and were swept away.

Litun and the driver managed to save themselves, but Vallerie was found drowned about two kilometres from the scene by villagers on Monday.

Her body was taken to the family’s home in Long Tikan and laid to rest on Wednesday.

The search and rescue operation involves personnel from the Marudi Fire and Rescue Station (BBP), police, Civil Defence Force (APM), SK Long Jekitan teachers, and local villagers.

-- BERNAMA