KABONG: The residents of Kampung Batang Maro now are relieved that the Public Works Department (JKR) has confirmed the status of the gravel road as completed and useable. This road connects the village to Kalik (Jalan Pusa-Sessang) as well as with the outside world.
With the completion of this gravel road, it saw the end of some ten years of waiting for the residents to use the road access, thereby connecting the village to other areas in place of the river transport, formerly the sole connection to the main route.
Betong Division JKR Engineer, Meehan Jorai, said the road to Kampung Batang Maro from Kalik is ready and accessible to vehicles.
“Today, our side (JKR) and contractors have been inspecting and moving to Kampung Batang Maro and Paloh using the road,” he said when speaking to New Sarawak Tribune in Kabong yesterday.
He said that the JKR is in the process to take over the administration of the ‘premixed’ road from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) so that maintenance work could be done accordingly.
Meanwhile, one of residents known as Rosdi Rosli’s expressed his gratitude and thankful for the completion of the main connecting road after waiting for decades to be built.
“I have used the road by car and it could be accessed. Although there is discomfort for regular car users, there is no problem if driving slowly and carefully.
“If possible, it should be resurfaced with smooth gravels for the better comfort of sedan cars.
“Nevertheless, we villagers of Kampung Batang Maro are very happy with the completion of the road; we are now connected to the outside world using land transport, instead of river route.
“Thanks to the State Government, especially former Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem who has approved the initial allocation of construction and Beting Maro Assemblyman Razaili Gapor who ensures that all areas within the Beting Maro state constituency are connected with road access, “he said.
The distance from Kampung Batang Maro to Pusa-Sessang Road is estimated at 11.6 kilometres.
Prior to the road, villagers have to use the boat across using river route to go to the nearest town or to the outside areas.
