Development push gathers pace in Pantu

PANTU: Better water access, tourism development and improved farm connectivity are being lined up to create new economic opportunities for communities in Pantu.

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said the largest undertaking would be the RM102 million upgrade of the Pantu Water Treatment Plant.

“The project will be put out to tender and, once completed, 1,109 families in Pantu will have better access to clean, treated water,” he said when officiating the Randau Ruai programme at Rumah Story Nyaun, Kampung Abok Pulau Batu here today (Sept 20).

The project will be implemented under Phase Three of the Rural Water Supply Project for Sri Aman Division through collaboration between the federal Rural and Regional Development Ministry and the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department.

Snowdan said the water plant upgrade would be complemented by five projects funded through the Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA).

Among them are plans to develop Wong Jaban and Wong Beranggong, with RM4.62 million and RM1.3 million allocated respectively.

According to a report, the projects are expected to strengthen Pantu’s tourism potential while encouraging more local economic activities.

Agricultural roads will also be built in Kampung Limau, Bukit Kukuk and Abok to improve access for rural communities and support farming activities.

The three projects have been allocated RM1.42 million, RM894,000 and RM782,000 respectively.

“I hope these projects will provide opportunities for the people of Pantu to improve their household incomes once they are completed,” said Snowdan, who is also Balai Ringin assemblyman.

At the event, he announced grants of RM15,000 for the Pulau Batu Village Development and Security Committee and RM5,000 for its women’s bureau.