Development agency plans income-generating projects for Kanowit, Selangau

KANOWIT (Oct 24): The Mid-Rajang Regional Development Agency (MiRRDA) committee has decided the implementation of income-generating projects in four former major Rajang Area Security Command (Rascom) resettlement schemes in Kanowit and Selangau.

According to Ngemah assemblyman Anyi Jana, the projects will be submitted to the Economy Planning Unit (EPU) for budget approval.

He said the decision on the projects was made during a committee meeting held in Sibu on Tuesday, with each resettlement area having their own projects designed for implementation.

The resettlement areas are Nanga Jagau, Nanga Ngungun and Nanga Tada in Kanowit, as well as Nanga Sekuau in Selangau.

The resettlement areas will be given RM50 million each to implement the projects from the total RM1.5 billion allocated to MiRRDA.

“There are five projects selected for implementation in Nanga Ngungun. Among them are oil palm cultivation, revival of community fish ponds, construction of Bukit Empeliau recreational park, and construction of a one-stop-centre where the people can market their products,” he said.

Anyi said this in his speech when officiating the ‘Community Programme: One Stop Committee (OSC-MIDS) to Address Drugs and Substance Abuse’ in Nanga Ngungun here yesterday.

He said for the oil palm project, based on estimated calculation, a household could earn at least RM1,000 after the trees bear fruits if they cultivated 350 trees.

“We also decided to revive the community fish pond project, in which the existing ponds will be equipped with better infrastructure like proper roads and fencing. Those participating in the project could harvest their fish in six months.

“MiRRDA will also help to kick-start both oil palm cultivation and fish pond projects. After that, the participants will fully take over the projects,” he added.

Anyi also said that the construction of a road from Ulu Ngemah to Nanga Jagau road, estimated to cost about RM100 million, is his top priority.

“My second priority is the construction of a road from Nanga Tada to Ulu Tada, which will also cost about RM100 million. The third is the construction of a bridge across Sungai Ngemah at Nanga Mawi, followed by an eight-kilometre road from Batu Luking to Nanga Poi.”

Also present at the programme were Kanowit District Office administrative officer Casseylia Benet, Unity Minister political secretary Dr Stephen William, Pemanca Leong Khing Hee, Pemanca Charlie Salang, and Penghulu Pree Minggat.