PITAS – The Sabah government has approved an allocation of RM4 million to tar the road at Jalan Salimpodon Mantus here for the benefit of over 1,500 residents of nearby villages.
Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor said the project would help enhance communication networks and the villagers’ socio-economic status, and reduce travelling time from several villages to Pitas town.
“The road tarring project will benefit residents of Kg Solimpodon Mantus, Solimpodon Darat and several other villages,” he told reporters after the project’s groundbreaking ceremony at Kg Solimpodon Mantus here today.
Jalan Solimpodon Mantus, located 16km from Pitas, links the villages to Jalan Utama Pitas and is still a gravel and laterite soil road.
Hajiji, who is also Sabah finance minister, also launched the “Connect Me Now” WiFi project at Kg Mantus as part of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah government’s efforts to help people in rural areas get Internet access.
The programme under the state science, technology and innovation ministry also includes a VSAT (two-way satellite station) installation programme.
The programme has also been implemented at Kg Walahu, Ranau; Kg Gana, Papar; and Kg Kumawanan, Tambunan.
The state government plans to instal VSAT at 501 areas in Sabah in stages starting this year.
At an earlier event, Hajiji said the government would build another 13 telecommunication towers in Pitas, with one already completed and four under construction.
“We expect another eight towers to be completed by early next year. We want the people, especially school children, to enjoy the best of Internet facilities,” he said. – Bernama, April 10, 2021
