WED,25TH AUG,2010- Daily Express
KOTA KINABALU-
Sukau may continue to beamong the poorest State constituencies in Sabah since it has not received a single rural development project under the National Key Results Area (NKRA) funds.
Its Assemblyman Saddi Abdul Rahman was disappointed that the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development did not consider channeling some development projects to provide basic amenities in Sukau.
" Together with other elected representatives, I had listed more than 94 rural projects worth overRM100 million that are needed in Sukau particularly basic amenities like roads, supply of water and electricity, among others.
" I submitted my proposal for funding under NKRA to the Ministry before the deadline on Sept 10 last year.
' Unfortunately, not even a single rural project under NKRA's billions of Ringgit in funds has beenapproved and given to Sukau until now," he lamented here, on Tuesday.
He was responding to a statement by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman;s in Keningau, that the government will probe how government allocations are spent for development projects in the State.
Musa said it was interesting that allocations for certain areas sometimes did not match the sum stated during the briefings by heads of local administrations. " The government will take necessary actin to identify where the billions went to." Musa said at a briefing by five district officers.
-Keningau, Tenom, Nabawan, Tambunan and Ranau- on development strategies adopted for each district at perkasa Hotel, in Keningau on Monday.
Saddi said it is vital for such investigation to be carried out as the government, especially elected representatives, are answerable to the grassroots.
"What Musa has said is timely and such probeshould be implemented as the development funds to carry out projects are for the people to enjoy basic amenities and facilities that could elevate their living standard and bring comfort to their lives', he said.
Sukau residents from 42 villages have been waiting for rural development projects from the government to be provide better road conditions as well as supply of water and electricity which some have yet to enjoy.
"The villagers are questioning what has happend to the NKRA funds and why not even one projects is approved for Sukau. They are feeling cynical about why the government has overlooked their interests and needs.
"I am also feeling disappointed that the ministry has not responded to several follow- up letters that I have submitted. In the letters, I have asked whether Sukau will be getting any rural projects under NKRA funds", he said.