SIBU: The construction of the Bakun/Belaga Road is to commence anytime now as the army has completed the survey and alignment work there.

Army chief General Datuk Seri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said they were just waiting for the materials to begin the construction.

“My engineers are already there, they have surveyed, marked and aligned the area.

“We have been there for the last few weeks waiting for the materials,” he said when met by reporters after the launching of ‘Projek Jiwa Murni’ (Civic Action Programme) at SK Saint Matthew in Sekuau, about 48 kilometres from here yesterday.

He said they would try to complete the road as soon as possible.

“But it will depend on the weather. We hope the weather in Belaga will be better than in Ba’Kelalan.

“Because when the rain falls, it will take a very long time for the road to dry,” he said while adding the Ba’Kelalan/Long Lopeng Road had been delayed due to the weather.

The Bakun/Belaga Road project, costing RM62 million and about 35 km long, was announced by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when he visited Belaga in January.

Najib said the road would benefit some 15,000 population in Belaga town who were still unable to travel by express boat to Kapit town because of certain shallow stretches along the Rejang River due to the Bakun Dam impoundment process.

The project is undertaken by the army under its ‘Projek Jiwa Murni’ to save cost.

Among its components was the construction of a prefabricated steel bridge over the Linau River in Lusong Laku, which would link 3,500 people including four Penan resettlements there.

Meanwhile, Zulkifeli said the army was ready to do more of such projects (Projek Jiwa Murni) if directed by the government.

“Because it will be able to save the government a lot of money.

“For example, the Ba’Kelalan/Long Lopeng Road, which is about 76km long, under normal construction contract will cost RM400 million, but the army can build it for about RM50 million,” he said. First Division commander Major-General Datuk Awie Suboh, Ninth Brigade commander Brigadier-General Stephen Mundaw, Tamin assemblyman Joseph Mauh Ikeh and Selangau district officer Wan Akil Wan Ahmad Bujang were among those present at the function.

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