Nanga Ngungun-Nanga Jagau road construction delayed due to issues with landowners, says rep

SIBU (July 23): The road construction from Nanga Ngungun to Nanga Jagau in Ulu Sungai Ngemah, Kanowit was slightly delayed due to issues with five landowners, said Ngemah assemblyman Anyi Jana.

He said the five landowners at Pendam Bungkang initially allowed the construction of the road, which is implemented under the Upper Rajang Development Agency with a budget of RM100 million, on their land.

“But after receiving the compensation, they changed their mind. Following a series of discussions, they eventually consented to road construction on their land.

“This caused the project to face eight to 10 months delay,” he said when officiating the closing ceremony of a workshop here yesterday.

The workshop coincided with former Rascom resettlement 50th golden jubilee celebration and was attended by some 75 penghulu and longhouse chiefs from four major former Rascom resettlements, namely Nanga Sekuau, Nanga Tada, Nanga Jagau and Nanga Ngungun.

Anyi said a section of the project, the Jalan Nanga Ngungun-Nanga Bat, will be tendered out soon.

“This will be followed by works on sections from Nanga Bat to Nanga Pera and from Nanga Pera to Nanga Jagau,” he added.

Earlier, Tuai Rumah James Ngali from Nanga Jagau lamented the hardship faced by the people due to the poor road condition to the resettlement.

Besides being the most remote, Nanga Jagau is also the last of four former major Rascom resettlements to be connected through a tar-sealed road, he said.

At the moment, the resettlement which has 21 longhouses is accessible through former logging roads and river transport, which can take between six to eight hours journey during dry weather.

Anyi also updated his constituents on other road projects that have been approved and ready for implementation soon.

“The projects are Jalan Nanga Kabah-Song, Jalan Nanga Baloh from Rumah Suzusie Lily Jenau to Nanga Ngemah and Jalan Nanga Dap to Nanga Buan. Landowners involved in Jalan Nanga Kabah-Song just received their land compensation cheques last week.

“The implementation for Jalan Nanga Baloh from Rumah Suzusie Lily Jenau to Nanga Ngemah and Jalan Nanga Dap to Nanga Buan is anytime soon,” he said.

He also said that the ferry ramp project at the former SMK Sedaya jetty

is scheduled for completion in November this year.

When completed, the project will shorten travel distance for the people along Jalan Nibong-Tada to Kanowit town.

Among those present were former Rascom resettlement 50th golden jubilee celebration protem committee chairman Councillor Henry Kanyan, Anyi’s wife Gelim Utan, Penghulu Andrewson Ngalai, Penghulu Ugap Seribu, Penghulu Juni Masam and Penghulu Bansa Kunchau.