Road damage cuts off Long Lellang in Ulu Baram, rep calls for urgent repairs

Datuk Gerawat Gala. Photo credit: Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas)

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, April 7: Road damage caused by severely compromised culverts has cut off access to Long Lellang in Ulu Baram for several days, prompting a call for urgent repairs to restore connectivity.

Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala said two culverts near the village have sustained major structural damage, while another is in a critical condition and at risk of collapse.

The Mulu assemblyman said the situation, relayed by the Ketua Kampung of Long Lellang A, has disrupted the movement of residents and the delivery of essential supplies.

Of immediate concern is SK Long Lellang, which is running low on food rations for its boarding students.

“Should the delivery of these essential supplies be further delayed, it will inevitably disrupt the teaching and learning process, as the majority of students at SK Long Lellang are hostel residents who rely on the school for their daily meals and welfare,” he said in a statement.

Gerawat further said the matter has been brought to the attention of the Resident of Miri Division and the Public Works Department (JKR) Miri, with a request for immediate intervention.

“I have requested the Resident’s Office and JKR Miri to take immediate and decisive action by seeking emergency funds from the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) Disaster Management Fund for immediate repair of the damaged culverts to restore safe access to the village,” he added.

On a longer-term solution, he said the proposed upgrading of the Long Lellang road under the Highland Development Agency (HDA) is currently in the tender stage and is expected to be awarded soon, with works anticipated to begin in early June.

Nevertheless, he stressed that immediate remedial measures are critical to ensure access is restored without delay, allowing essential supplies to reach the community, school and clinic. — DayakDaily