NANGA TULIE CROSSING FERRY SERVICE TO EASE DAILY MOVEMENTS OF KAPIT RESIDENTS

KAPIT, March 6 (Bernama) -- The new ferry service, capable of carrying up to 24 vehicles at a time at the Nanga Tulie crossing, Batang Rajang, is expected to facilitate the daily movement of residents in the Kapit Division when it is completed.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is also the Kapit Member of Parliament, said the project costing RM23.5 million is a Sarawak state government initiative to provide safer, more orderly, and efficient transportation facilities for the residents.

He said the proposed One Ferry 24-Car Operation project at the Nanga Tulie crossing includes the construction and completion of ferry landing facilities.

"For the people in Kapit, the river is not just for the view but a lifeline that connects them to workplaces, schools, service centres and agricultural areas.

"For long, many residents around Batang Rajang have had to cross the river to carry out their daily activities such as working, sending children to school, transporting agricultural produce and obtaining basic necessities," he said in a Facebook post after officiating its groundbreaking ceremony today.

According to him, as a Kapit native entrusted with representing the area since 1999, efforts to ease the daily journey of the rural community have always been among his priorities.

He said this project is expected to benefit 33 longhouses from Nanga Tulie to Pekan Merit, in addition to facilitating the movement of students from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Nanga Encheremin and SK Ulu Pelagus.

"This facility not only improves the transportation system but also helps expedite the daily affairs of the community, including transporting agricultural produce, delivering essential goods, and facilitating travel to schools, workplaces and service centres," he said.

Nanta said that the facility also has the potential to open up more economic opportunities for the residents.

He also said the project will be implemented by Rambungan Maju Sdn Bhd through a design and build approach.

He added that the ferry service will later only charge a fee of RM1 per trip to ensure that the facility can be enjoyed by rural communities at a low cost.

-- BERNAMA