WILL TAKE NOTE TO UPGRADE ROAD – DG ICU

We will take note to upgrade road, says Ahmad Zaki

PENAMPANG 8th Jan 2012: Travelling into the interior of Penampang is not for the faint hearted as a group comprising of high-ranking government officials from federal and state governments found out.

Undeterred by the poor roads and treacherous conditions, the group led by director-general of Implementation and Coordination Unit under the Prime Minister’s Department, Dato’ Ahmad Zaki Ansore Mohd Yusof (pic left) and Sabah Development Officer director Datuk Matusin Sunsang, (pic right) made a slow but difficult journey to reach a project site.

Their goal was to visit the suspension bridge project of Damalang-Timpayasa Buayan to check on its work progress so that the surrounding communities can benefit from it.

The group took off from the Penampang district office on Friday at about 3pm and their 13km journey was onboard a specially-fitted four-wheel drive which is able to conquer the treacherous terrain.

Some of the delegation hopped into modified Land Cruisers with the heavy rain greeting them in their arduous journey.

Some of them have to trudge in above-ankle deep mud road as their vehicles were trapped in some stretches They reached their destination two hours later and their arrival brought joy to the local villagers who did not expect that high-ranking officials would drop by.

The village development and security committee (JKKK) chief Sipanis @ Albert Lojima 54 said it was a proud day for the village as they “were receiving important guests.”

“We are happy to see that the government is sending such officials to visit us and see for themselves,” he said.

He said the suspension bridge built at a cost of RM90,000 would serve the community well as it would cut their trekking journey time and ease the communication link among the several villages in the area.

“We are still hoping for a better road though we know it will come in the future,” he said of the only link between Buayan and Penampang town.

According to Sipanis, if the road became treacherous, they would need to hire a special 4WD which will cost them RM450.

“We have no choice but to pay for the fare where we will split among the villagers,” he said.

Ahmad Zaki said the road which was built by a timber company in 2000, is an important link for the villagers.

“We are taking note the need to upgrade this road and will forward it for a decision,” he said adding that the visit was also to get a clear picture of the conditions faced by the villagers. Also joined in the visit was Penampang district officials