Ng Engkuah in Song gets facelift from Kampung Angkat Madani’s RM4 mln fund

SONG (Aug 12): A total of RM4 million has been allocated by the Works Ministry to upgrade facilities at Nanga Engkuah in Ulu Katibas, Song, for the implementation of the Kampung Angkat Madani (KAM) programme.

The programme is an initiative by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to provide basic facilities and improve infrastructure in rural areas, said Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

Nanga Engkuah, being selected as the ministry’s first adopted village under the KAM programme, has three longhouses namely Rumah Assan, Rumah Radiah and Rumah Albert Lajong.

Located some 50 kilometres from Song town, it has a population of 658 people and is only accessible by river transport.

“The project costing RM4 million will commence this month and will take at least 12 months to complete,” said Nanta, who is also the Kapit MP, after handing over ‘KAM Project Letter of Acceptance’ to two contractors at Song District Office building here yesterday.

The fund, he said, would be utilised for the construction of two bridges, the installation of 100 solar lightings, upgrading of a waiting shed at the jetty, and also the construction of a concrete pavement connecting the three longhouses.

He disclosed that two Kapit-based companies, Syarikat Bumi Mas and Syarikat Smartech Resources, had been tasked to carry out the projects under the supervision of the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR).

Nanta expressed his hope that the programme initiative would contribute towards a more sustainable and holistic development for the Nanga Engkuah longhouse residents.

“Kapit parliamentary has three state constituencies, and for this time around, we have picked Katibas constituency in Song district.

“If we still have such project next year, we will bring it to other areas and I will also consult with Bukit Goram and Pelagus assemblymen to identify villages for the implementation of the project,” he said.

Also present at the event were Works Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam, Sarawak JKR director Dr Cassidy Morris, and Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assan.