The Rural Development Ministry is committed to further strengthening Sabah's rural transport network via the implementation of 81 rural road construction projects, involving an allocation of RM316.9 million this year.

Minister Rina Harun said three of the projects have been completed, 30 projects were under construction, while the rest were in various stages of implementation.

She said the three rural roads completed were Jalan Ansip-Dalit-Kahaba in Keningau stretching 43km, and a bridge benefiting 5,000 residents from 11 villages; Jalan Nibang in Pitas stretching 18.5km and two bridges (catering to 3,000 residents from 12 villages); as well as Jalan Rosok Ginapas, Kota Belud stretching 3km (benefiting 1,000 residents).

“The roads in Keningau, Pitas and Kota Belud make it easier for rural residents to commute to conduct their daily activities, which was previously inaccessible with unpaved roads,” he said.

The minister was speaking to reporters after the handing over ceremony of the finished slope repair work project and related works at the Kampung Limbanak Kemas Kindergarten in Penampang today.

Besides the development of rural roads in Sabah, Rina said her ministry had identified 50 rural road projects to be implemented in the state in the first phase of this year, involving an allocation of RM10 million.

“The rural road projects have been approved and are in the quotation process. The construction of the projects is expected to be completed by June 2019. 

"The ministry is also identifying a list of rural roads to be implemented for the second stage in accordance with the priority needs,” she said.

Meanwhile, Rina said as many as 44 social amenity programmes would also be implemented, including upgrading and repairing of mosques and surau, multipurpose halls, bridges and drainage systems in the rural areas of Sabah, involving an allocation of RM6.47 million.

All rural infrastructure development projects in Sabah will be implemented and completed this year to benefit the residents in the area, thus ensuring their comfort and well-being, he said.

On the slope repair work project, Rina said the project was completed in November to prevent the occurrence of landslides, thereby ensuring the safety of two nearby Kemas kindergartens which had about 50 students.

- Bernama