PULAU BRUIT: A total of seven projects under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) worth almost RM2 million in the Semop constituency are being closely monitored to ensure their implementation runs smoothly and meets the set schedule.

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol who reviewed the progress of the project, said that continuous monitoring is very important to ensure that each initiative provides direct benefits to the rural people.

"Among the projects are the upgrading and repair of basic facilities such as village roads, community halls and mosques in this archipelago area," he said when met by the media.

The Semop Assemblyman shared that the two-day working visit that began on Tuesday was also attended by various implementing agencies including the Public Works Department (JKR), the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and trainees from the Sarawak Centre of Excellence in Performance (SCOPE).

Apart from the RTP project, he said more than 20 public facilities projects under the Rajang Delta Development Agency (RADDA) fund scheme and Projek Khas Rakyat with a total value of about RM95 million are underway and will be implemented in the area.

"On behalf of the residents of Semop, I am very grateful for the active support of all government agencies at the district and divisional levels. Without their cooperation, it is quite difficult for elected representatives to realise the aspirations of the people, especially in rural areas," he added.

According to him, the success of rural development in the Semop constituency depends on close cooperation between elected representatives, service center offices, implementing agencies, district councils and grassroots leaders including tribal leaders and tuai rumah.

Datuk Abdullah also stressed that continuous fieldwork visits are important to ensure that the RTP project is implemented according to schedule and meets the needs of the people.

“However, several factors have been identified as the cause of project implementation delays, causing some projects that were supposed to be completed on schedule to be delayed and affecting the progress of the overall programme.

“Among them are the unpredictable weather conditions in the first quarter of this year, including heavy rains and floods that delayed some projects,” he said.

The two-day working visit strengthened development coordination and enabled the issues and needs of the people on the ground to be identified more comprehensively. -UKASnews