RM120 million boost for 450 resettled families – Max

The Government’s RM120 million allocation to build an asphalt road and implement an Agropolitan programme to provide economic activities and development for the resettled 450 families at Gana here is a good example of promise delivered by Barisan Nasional.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili said the RM60 mllion allocation to upgrade the timber road and another RM60 million for the Agropolitan programme were a generous and caring commitment for the 3,000 people living there.

The families were from 10 villages scattered within and adjacent to the Lingkabau Forest Reserve who were relocated through the Gana Resettlement and Integrated Development Project in 1997.

“The Agropolitan programme will allow the villagers to carry out rubber planting for income while the upgraded road will make Gana more accessible and bring development to the villages,” said the Kota Marudu Member of Parliament during a ground-breaking ceremony for the fourth phase of the Jalan Talantang-Gana road upgrading project.

He further pointed out that the last phase of the road was also possible because the Government was sensitive to the people’s needs. The original allocation was only to upgrade 19.75km of the timber road, thus the 6km dirt road leading to the village remained a bad stretch.

“Upon appeal to the Prime Minister, he immediately approved a further RM9.7 million for the construction of the fourth phase of the road, which means the road will lead right up to Gana.

“This is good news indeed for the villagers and they have much to look forward to after being resettled 15 years ago,” he said.

Construction of the last phase of the road will begin this month and is expected for completion in December 2013.

“The allocation is huge considering the number of people involved but this is because the government cares for the rural people and believes they should be assisted and development must include them,” he said.

As such, he said Barisan Nasional was a responsible government that made promises and delivered them.

“On the contrary, the Opposition can only promise anything under the sun but these are just grand promises. They have no commitment nor power to implement them, and the people must be wary of such promise makers,” he said.

Dr Ongkili added that under the Agropolitan programme, homes and facilities would be built for the 450 families.

He hopee the state government could iron out matters as soon as possible so that the Agropolitan programme could commence this year.

Source: Borneo Post