Siaran Media

PAPAR: Projek menaik taraf Jalan Lok Kawi dari Bulatan Sabindo ke Sekolah  Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Kinarut bernilai RM70.6 juta dijangka mengurangkan  kesesakan lalu lintas dan meningkatkan keselamatan pengguna di Koridor Lok Kawi Pengalat-Papar yang semakin pesat membangun. 

Ketua Menteri, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor, berkata projek itu membuktikan  komitmen berterusan Kerajaan Persekutuan menerusi Kementerian Kerja Raya (KKR)  dalam memperkukuh pembangunan infrastruktur jalan raya di Sabah. 

Beliau berkata, Koridor Lok Kawi-Pengalat-Papar kini menjadi antara kawasan yang  berkembang pesat dengan pertambahan kawasan perumahan, premis kerajaan,  sekolah dan produk pelancongan. 

Perkembangan itu menyebabkan peningkatan jumlah trafik sehingga menimbulkan  kesesakan terutama pada waktu puncak, sekali gus menjadi antara keluhan utama  pengguna jalan raya di kawasan berkenaan, tambah beliau. 

“Sebagai kerajaan, kita sentiasa berusaha merancang dan melaksanakan  pembangunan yang memberi manfaat serta meningkatkan kesejahteraan rakyat,”  katanya ketika berucap pada Majlis Pecah Tanah Projek Naik Taraf Jalan Lok Kawi dari  Bulatan Sabindo ke SMK Kinarut, di WSG Kinarut Show Gallery, hari ini. 

Hajiji berkata, projek sepanjang 1.3 kilometer itu melibatkan penaiktarafan jalan  daripada dua lorong kepada empat lorong dua hala dan kelulusan projek berkenaan  membuktikan suara dan keperluan mobiliti rakyat Sabah sentiasa diberi perhatian oleh  kerajaan. 

Katanya, skop projek itu bukan sekadar melibatkan pelebaran jalan, malah turut  memberi penekanan kepada aspek keselamatan pengguna. 

“Antara kemudahan yang disediakan ialah pembinaan jejantas pejalan kaki, laluan  berbumbung ke sekolah, hentian bas serta perlindungan motosikal yang akan memberi  manfaat kepada murid, pejalan kaki dan pengguna jalan raya,” katanya. 

Dalam pada itu, Hajiji memberi jaminan kerajaan negeri akan memberikan kerjasama  penuh dalam urusan pengambilan tanah dan pengalihan utiliti bagi memastikan projek  dapat dilaksanakan dengan lancar.

Beliau berkata, semua jabatan dan agensi utiliti yang terbabit perlu bertindak pantas  menyelesaikan sebarang isu teknikal supaya projek dapat disiapkan mengikut jadual  yang ditetapkan. 

“Kita tidak mahu kerenah birokrasi menjadi penghalang kepada pelaksanaan projek  yang amat penting ini. Kerjasama erat antara agensi Persekutuan dan negeri perlu  diperkukuhkan bagi memastikan kejayaannya,” katanya. 

Hajiji berkata, pembangunan infrastruktur jalan raya yang cekap dan selamat adalah  tunjang kepada pertumbuhan sosioekonomi, selain mampu merangsang pelaburan dan  sektor pelancongan. 

Beliau yakin projek itu akan mengurangkan masa perjalanan, meningkatkan  kesalinghubungan serta merancakkan aktiviti ekonomi di daerah Papar seiring dengan  Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ). 

Katanya, Papar kini menunjukkan perubahan ketara hasil pelaksanaan pelbagai projek  infrastruktur dan komersial, malah berpotensi menjadi lokasi persinggahan utama  pelawat dari Brunei dan Sarawak apabila Lebuhraya Pan Borneo siap sepenuhnya  kelak. 

Hajiji turut mengumumkan kelulusan Projek Jambatan Papar Ke 2 dan Kerja  Kecemasan Penambakan Batu dan Tanah Di Sepanjang Tabing Sungai Intake Kogopon  serta Kerja-Kerja Perlindungan Tebing Sungai yang dipohoh oleh Ahli Parlimen Papar,  Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali untuk kemudahan dan kepentingan rakyat Papar. 

Tamat

PAPAR: The RM70.6 million upgrading project for the Lok Kawi Road from the Sabindo  Roundabout to SMK Kinarut is expected to ease traffic congestion and enhance road  safety along the rapidly developing Lok Kawi-Pengalat-Papar corridor. 

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the project reflected the  Federal Government's continued commitment, through the Ministry of Works (KKR), to  strengthening road infrastructure development in Sabah. 

He said the Lok Kawi-Pengalat-Papar corridor had become one of the State's fastest growing areas, with increasing numbers of residential developments, government  premises, schools and tourism products. 

The rapid development has resulted in a significant increase in traffic volume, leading to  congestion, particularly during peak hours, which has become one of the main concerns  raised by road users in the area, he added. 

“As a responsible government, we will continue to plan and implement development  projects that benefit the people and improve their well-being,” he said when officiating at  the groundbreaking ceremony for the Lok Kawi Road upgrading project from the Sabindo  Roundabout to SMK Kinarut at the WSG Kinarut Show Gallery here today. 

Hajiji said the 1.3-kilometre project involves upgrading the existing two-lane road into a  dual two-carriageway, four-lane road and the approval of the project demonstrated that  the Government continued to give due attention to the voices and mobility needs of the  people of Sabah. 

He said the project scope goes beyond road widening and places strong emphasis on  road user safety. 

“Among the facilities to be provided are a pedestrian bridge, covered walkways to the  school, bus stops and motorcycle shelters, which will benefit students, pedestrians and  road users,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Hajiji assured that the State Government would extend its full cooperation  in land acquisition and utility relocation matters to ensure the project is implemented  smoothly.

He said all departments and utility agencies involved must act swiftly to resolve any  technical issues so that the project could be completed according to schedule. 

“We do not want bureaucratic red tape to hinder the implementation of this very important  project. Close cooperation between the Federal and State agencies must be  strengthened to ensure its success,” he said. 

Hajiji said efficient and safe road infrastructure is the backbone of socio-economic  growth and is also capable of stimulating investment and the tourism sector. 

He expressed confidence that the project would reduce travelling time, improve  connectivity and spur economic activities in Papar in line with the aspirations of the  Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development roadmap. 

He said Papar was already undergoing significant transformation through the  implementation of various infrastructure and commercial projects, and had the potential  to become a major stopover destination for visitors from Brunei and Sarawak once the  Pan Borneo Highway is fully completed. 

The Chief Minister also announced the approval of the Papar Bridge Project 2 and  emergency works to add rocks and earth along the banks of the Kogopon River intake,  as well as riverbank protection works, proposed by the Papar Member of Parliament,  Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, for the convenience and benefit of the people of Papar. 

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