MIRI: Fifty infrastructure projects which are now in various stages of implementation within the Highland Development Agency (HDA) jurisdiction are expected to pave the way for better days ahead for the rural communities in the area.
These will lay the foundation for the state government to implement various socio-economic programmes to increase the income and livelihood of people in the area, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
In view of this, the Regional Corridor Development Authority (RECODA) has appointed UNIMAS Holdings Sdn Bhd as the consultant to develop the Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP) 2022-2026 for HAD.
“The main objective of the SEDP is to identify opportunities for the people to participate in socio-economic activities with greater private sector investment for economic growth in short, mid and long terms within the HDA area,” he said.
This demonstrates the State government’s serious commitment to developing more rural entrepreneurs, he told a group of local media on Monday.
Earlier, Uggah chaired a HDA meeting with various agencies at a hotel here.
Also present were Baram Member of Parliament Anyi Ngau, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala and Telang Usan Assemblyman Dennis Ngau.
Uggah said 52 potential socio-economic projects encompassing eco-tourism, agriculture, forestry and aquaculture clusters had been identified.
“We will be focusing on high value of crops within the area,” he said.
Uggah said the 50 infrastructure projects include three road projects which have been completed, 17 projects under construction, nine projects under detailed design stage and a total of 21 projects, including 19 water supply projects that are expected to be tendered out soon.
HDA was established in 2017 under RECODA to spur infrastructure and socio-economic development in areas such as Bario, Mulu and Long Lama covering an area of 18,463 square km.
