INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES IN KINARUT, PAPAR ACTIVELY ADDRESSED – ARMIZAN

PAPAR, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- Several major infrastructure issues in the Kinarut and Papar areas are currently being actively addressed, including road projects, water supply and the construction of a new bridge.

 Papar MP Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, who is also Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister said the main Kinarut Selatan road project linking the Penampang route to Benoni has been fully completed and is expected to help resolve traffic problems in the area.

“Although this project is not part of the Pan Borneo Highway, it has been completed, but the handover process to the government has yet to be finalised.

“Once it is handed over, several related issues such as the provision of U-turn lanes and road safety aspects will be identified before applying for additional funding for improvements,” he told reporters after officiating the opening of the Kinarut Palm Avenue shoplot building here today.

Also present were Kawang assemblyman Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar, Limbahau assemblyman Datuk Juil Nuatim and WSG Group managing director Datuk Susan Wong.

On road projects in the Kinarut area, Armizan said the project is currently awaiting tender evaluation and approval by the Works Ministry’s Procurement Board after it was previously cancelled.

He said continuous efforts are being made to ensure the project can begin as soon as possible in line with rapid development in Kinarut, including Kinarut Pump City, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and Kinarut Pump Avenue, scheduled for completion by the end of next year.

Armizan added that the road project from the Sabindo roundabout to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kinarut has been approved and is undergoing the tender process, which is expected to ease traffic congestion over the next three years.

In addition, the construction of a new bridge linking Kampung Pengalat Kecil to Sungai Padang has also been approved and is expected to be tendered in the second quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, Wong said the Kinarut Palm Avenue commercial development is expected to generate significant employment opportunities for the local community, particularly residents of Papar.

She said about 1,000 job opportunities are expected to be created, with priority given to local residents to reduce reliance on workers from outside districts.

-- BERNAMA