KUDAT, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- The RM4.06 billion allocation for the Rural Water Supply (BALB) project in Sabah will help meet the demand for clean water among rural communities, said Kota Marudu Member of Parliament Datuk Wetrom Bahanda.
Wetrom, who is also president of the Malaysian Momogun Rungus Association (PMRM), said the allocation through the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) reflected the Federal government’s commitment to ensuring basic rural infrastructure projects were implemented more efficiently and effectively.
He said the Federal government’s decision to delegate the implementation of the project to the state government was also important to ensure smooth implementation.
“Rural projects are usually managed by the ministry in Putrajaya, but this time KKDW took the initiative in the interest of Sabah by channelling the allocation directly to the state government to better assess the people’s actual needs,” he told Bernama here today.
Earlier, he attended the Rungus Cultural Festival officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi here today.
Ahmad Zahid announced at the event that RM4.06 billion would be channelled through BALB to the state government to address rural water supply issues in Sabah.
On other infrastructure development, Wetrom said various rural road construction projects, including the Sonsogon-Megandai and Mangin roads, were being actively funded by the ministry.
He said other road projects, including Jalan Rendemon, Jalan Teringai, Jalan Sembayan and Jalan Raritiden to Pampang Poring, would further improve connectivity for interior communities.
“Upgrading this infrastructure is important to accelerate development in Kota Marudu and Kudat and enable the people to move beyond the status of being among the poorest districts,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wetrom expressed gratitude for the Federal government’s commitment to supporting the people’s aspiration to upgrade Matunggong subdistrict into a full district to bring greater development benefits.
-- BERNAMA