By Matthias Hermes
INANAM: The RM50million allocation by the Federal government for the upgrading of roads in Sabah is an insult to the people, said Inanam Assemblyman Dr Roland Chia.
“What can the Sabah State Public Works Department do with RM50 million for the road works in Sabah which is twice the size of Pahang,” Chia queried.
“There is no point announcing new road works to the public just to pacify them. The public wants to know when implementation of the road works will start.”
He said considering the fact that Sabah is one of the largest oil and gas producing states in Malaysia contributing billions of ringgit to the federal coffers, annually for close to four decades, the sum of RM50 million was paltry.
Chia who is also PKR Sabah Secretary expressed this while commenting on a Bernama report quoting Deputy Minister of Works, Datuk Rosnah Shirlin that out of the RM457 million of the federal allocation to upgrade the Pan Borneo Road, Sabah and Sarawak had each received RM50 million last year.
“This is the main reason why we want to increase of oil royalty from five per cent to 20 per cent,” he said this while inspecting the traffic congestion along Jalan Kionsom, here today.
He claimed that the lack of funding is the reason why the State Public Works Department cannot implement the various plans under the 10th Malaysian Plan.
He thus urged the federal government to expedite the disbursement of funds that were designated for Sabah, so as to construct the various proposed road upgrading projects approved in the 10th Malaysia Plan, in order to address the worsening traffic congestion in various parts of the city, including places like Inanam, Menggatal, Penampang and beyond.
Chia also pointed out that the worst traffic congestion now is within the city area, affecting six parliamentary constituencies, including his where he receives complaints regarding the problem almost on daily basis.
“The flyover at Mile 5 ½ and the upgrading of roads from two lanes to three lanes in Jalan Lintas-Jalan Tuaran Bypass, Jalan Tuaran and roads leading into the industrial areas in Kolombong should commence as soon as possible,” he said.
He further noted that the bridge and roads linking Jalan Lintas to Jalan Mangga that is at the heart of Kolombong Industrial Estate should be upgraded as soon as possible.
“This is critical to the locals and by doing this it would alleviate the traffic congestion of all affected areas here.
“Jalan Kionsom, Inanam is the other main road that is heavily congested. Roads users have been complaining that daily it takes them 2-3 hours to get back home from the city. This is totally unacceptable for many.
“The Inanam-Kionsom bypass must be constructed immediately rather that pending funds from the treasury.
“We hope the construction of a third lane along Jalan Lintas can commence immediately before next year because the new Chinese primary school is expecting their first intake and that can add further to the traffic congestion.
“What the people want is just a response from the government of the day how to resolve the traffic and road congestion,” he stressed.
Source: borneoinsider.com
