BINTULU: Bintulu folks welcome the opening of the 724-metre Kuala Tatau Bridge, located about 48 kms from the town here, and are excited about the developments it will bring.
Last Saturday, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman), DatukTalib Zulpilip unlocked the entrance gate to mark the opening of the bridge to the public. Earlier, the Assistant Minister witnessed the symbolic handing over of the project from the state Public Works Department (JKR), represented by its Regional Manager, Cassidy Morris, to JKR Bintulu Divisional Engineer, Lau Pit Hwa. However,, although the Kuala Tatau Bridge is now open to the public, the official grand opening ceremony to be graced by the Chief Minister is expected to be announced at a later date.
In his brief speech prior to the opening of the bridge last Saturday, Talib, who is also Jepak State Assemblyman, thanked the government and JKR for helping to realise the bridge project. “I believe those living in the surrounding areas will soon feel the spin-off effects of the bridge project,” he added.
“All the people want better road connectivity to boost economic activities in the coastal areas which are actively planting oil palm and other cash crops. To me, this is a good sign that economic development will improve rapidly once the roads are well linked.”
Meanwhile, Samalaju State Assemblyman, Majang Renggi, pointed out that with the completion of the bridge, the coastal road within the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) area and passing through the Samalaju Industrial Park, would become increasingly popular with motorists driving from Kuching to Miri and vice versa in the next five years.
Pemanca Valerie Manyi,78, from Serupai said: “It will be easier for us to send our agricultural produce to Bintulu. Our land is very fertile and suitable for agriculture.
The road and bridge link provided will boost economic activities.” According to her, there are eight longhouses with about 700 residents in the Sungai Serupai and Kemena areas. Traditionally, Sg. Serupai folks plant coconuts but lately, many have started to plant oil palms on a small scale.
Valerie believes that with good road and bridge link, oil palm plantations will thrive there in future. Another village chief, Penghulu Rahim Shadan, 59, of Kpg Kuala Tatau also believes the opening of the bridge will spur economic activities in the area. It will shorten travelling time between Kuala Tatau and Balingian/ Mukah Division.
“I have been dreaming of this bridge for so long and now my dream has come true,” said Rahim. M e a n w h i l e , l o c a l businessman,Othman Mat, 50, from Bintulu, said the bridge would facilitate business activities of the locals, especially those involved in fishing and agriculture.
“I hope our fishermen will earn better incomes and that more visitors will come to Kuala Tatau and the surrounding villages and longhouses,” he said. Another local from a nearby village and Jepak PBB Deputy Chief, Saidi Abg Samsuddin, 51, also welcomed the road and bridge link along the coastal areas.
