By KUCHING: Some 200 infrastructure development projects have been completed under Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA).
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the agency, in total, has approved about 600 projects since its inception.
“IRSDA has approved 600 projects which costed RM1.496 billion – some 200 of them has been completed, according to (Acting State Secretary) Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Marzuki.
“When I went to Sebuyau the other day, the villagers were pleased to note that they do not have to deal with saltwater intrusion any further.
The same goes for the Sebangan area there, it (the project to prevent saltwater intrusion) is also completed,” he said at a function to officially launch IRSDA today (June 10). The agency has been set up for some time.
Abang Johari said with the completion of the project, it meant that the soil in the area can now be used to grow crops – which wasn’t possible before as the soil was unfertile.
“The villagers now can replant their coconuts; we can now rehabilitate the plants in the areas – this means the foods grown in the area can be exported,” he said.
At the same time, the premier said IRSDA’s policy is to prioritise basic infrastructure development in the Samarahan area.
“This includes roads, electricity and clean water – some projects have been completed and others are still being implemented,” he said.
In addition to the projects being planned by IRDSA, Abang Johari said the state government will also look to build a dual carriageway road from Samarahan to Sebuyau through Asajaya.
“We want to build this road, perhaps we need to build another bridge (alongside the Samarahan bridge) to meet the dual carriageway specifications,” he said.
The premier added, the dual carriageway road will link Samarahan to Sebuyau and Sri Aman, where it is under the Sri Aman Development Agency’s (SADA) area.
“With this, all areas will receive a spillover effect. We will continue to build the infrastructure there (in Samarahan). We need to plan it properly so we can manage the funding,” he said.
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