BAU: A total of 99 landowners in Singai here received compensation for their land amounting to RM1.76 million from the state government on Monday.
The pay-out is for their land acquired for the proposed upgrading and widening of Kampung Tanjung Poting/Tanjung Sinibong/Tanjung Bawong road project.
On hand to present the cheques at the Tanjung Poting multipurpose hall in Singai was Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep.
Henry said the project was divided into five packages (A, B, C, D. and E) and Monday’s compensation was for those affected under package B.
Landowners under the four remaining packages would be paid out accordingly once all matters related to surveying of their respective affected lots had been completed, he added during the presentation ceremony.
Henry initiated the project during the 2016 state election and it was approved by the then Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakub.
It was, however, delayed following a change in a federal government after the 2018 parliamentary election.
Henry said the project “is yet another promise fulfilled” for the people of Tasik Biru, especially those residing in Singai area.
The one-term elected representative said the project was proposed following complaints of frequent flood problem along several stretches of the road after a heavy downpour.
“I had initially requested to the minister to allocate some funds to upgrade certain parts of the road that were affected by the flood. However, the minister had approved funds to upgrade the whole stretch of roads connecting the three villages,” he said.
Henry thanked the Perikatan Nasional government for going ahead with the project.
Earlier, Henry presented the compensation cheques to three recipients, as a symbolic ceremony, at the Bau District office.
