13 landowners affected by construction of Selampit Bridge compensated

LUNDU (Sept 21): A total of 13 landowners affected by the construction of the Selampit Bridge have received their respective compensation from the government.

According to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report, the cheques were handed over by Opar assemblyman Billy Sujang during a brief ceremony held at the Lundu District Office, recently.

In his speech, Billy explained the importance of building the bridge in facilitating the movements of residents and improving accessibility in the area.

“In 2022, the original project site was deemed ‘not suitable’, since it required 13 13 residential houses, a hall and a balai raya (multipurpose hall) to be demolished.

“As a result, the project site has changed, along with the design of the bridge, to accommodate the allocation and the new site,” he said.

The ceremony also saw Billy presenting two new fibre boats to replace the existing ‘perahu tambang’ (water taxis), which are used to bring people over to Kampung Selampit across Batang Kayan.

Additionally, he handed over native Sarawak status certificates to 14 successful applicants from his constituency.

Also present were political secretary to the Premier Niponi Undek, Lundu district officer Awang Yusup Awang Mostapha, and officials from the Sarawak Land and Survey Department.