VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS STRUCTURED FOR GREATER IMPACT - AHMAD ZAHID

LIPIS, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- Every rural development project is implemented in a structured manner so that its impact is felt by the community at the grassroots, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said the ministry focuses on development in the area concerned, not only in terms of infrastructure, but also strengthening the economy and the well-being of the people.

He said the Road and Bridge project from Kampung Labu through Kampung Batu Balak, Jerantut to Kampung Gemunchur and Kampung Mela, Kuala Lipis was a clear proof of this effort.

"With the completion of this project, economic activities such as tourism, agriculture and rural entrepreneurship will grow, opening up new opportunities for livelihood and attracting young people to continue building the future in their hometowns," he said when officiating the project here today.

Also present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Deputy Minister of Works Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan and Deputy Minister of Human Resources cum Member of Parliament for Lipis Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad.

Ahmad Zahid said he saw the project route as Pahang's main tourism corridor connecting Kuala Tahan National Park in Jerantut to the Cameron Highlands via Kuala Lipis and onwards to Genting Highlands.

He said the road involved would then be handed over to the Pahang government as a state road alignment, starting from the intersection of Jalan Kampung Selimbang - Kampung Lubuk Payung and connecting to federal road FT234, as a sign of trust and continuity of responsibility between the federal government and the state.

The high-impact road and bridge project from Kampung Labu via Kampung Batu Balak, Jerantut to Kampung Gemunchur and Kampung Mela, Kuala Lipis was implemented through the design and build method by the appointed contractor and was completed on August 25 with a contract cost of RM157.89 million.

The infrastructure could shorten the travel distance between Kampung Mela, Lipis to Kampung Labu, Jerantut from 60 kilometres (km) to 17 km, while reducing the travel time from one hour to 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said no village would be left out of the national development stream as it is the MADANI government's intention to ensure that rural people continue to enjoy balanced progress and to bridge the socio-economic gap between urban and rural areas.

He said that through next year's allocation, RM7.78 billion would be channelled specifically to implement development projects such as road construction, electricity and water supply, telecommunications and social facilities.

-- BERNAMA