Bridging Prosperity: The lifeline linking villagers to opportunity

The bridge will span this river

5 August 2024

By AVV

KOTA BELUD: In the serene countryside lies a quaint village called Kg Kaung, nestled together by the river, home to people who tend lush paddy fields, rubber plantations, and orchards.

For years, the villagers of this close-knit community relied on a simple bridge to connect them to the outside world. They also have a low bridge built on the river bed, to enable them to access the town.

The Village Development and Security Committee chairman Geofery Magaran shared that more than 1,000 people lived in that village most of whom are sustenance farmers.

"Some of them work with the private and public sectors, outside of the region but collectively there are more than 1,000 people in the village . Many are paddy planters, rubber tappers and owners of orchards."

Geofrey (left) with Ewon

"Our paddy planters are self-sustaining where rice is concerned but they do sell their surplus rice in tamu or market. Our rubber tappers also have to get their products out of the village. As for our fruit farmers, they need to carry their wares out to tamu to sell."

"Our problem is the bridge. We have the low bridge on the river bed, but when it floods, we can't cross. So when that occur every economic endeavours stand still. Luckily we have grocery shop here, so we don't run out of essential for a while."

According to him, if they really had to go out they braved the river using a four wheel drive.

Their problem will not be for long though as a modern concrete bridge spanning the glistening river will be built soon.

A RM13.7 million bridge will be constructed there over the Kadamaian River, to be fully completed by January 2026.

The bridge at 100 metres long will bring about a transformation for the villagers as they can bring their wares out to sell, they can interact with their friends and families from other villages without having to worry about floods.

The new bridge will stand as a symbol of progress and prosperity, opening up a world of possibilities for the villagers who once faced challenges in transporting their products to market and accessing essential services.

With the bridge in place, the villagers no longer have to contend with treacherous river crossings or impassable roads during the rainy season, greatly improving both their quality of life and economic prospects.

Geofery said with the completion of the bridge they hope to take part in the Tamu Desa or rural traditional market as they will be able to bring their farm produce to sell in a concentrated area where customers can purchase their wares.

Beyond the tangible economic benefits, the bridge will foster a sense of community cohesion and unity among the villagers. It allows easy access for school buses, public transportation and for the people to go to town on government-related matters.

Geofery thanked Kadamaian State Assemblyman Datuk Ewon Benedick for holding the ground breaking ceremoney to start the bridge construction, recently.

"We appreciate his dedicated efforts in supporting us to realise our goal of having a concrete bridge that will connect us to the road on the other side of the river. He is a supportive and empathetic leader," Geofery remarked.

The bridge from the federal government allocation through the Ministry of Rural Development and Territory (KKDW) will be implemented by the Public Works Department (JKR) Sabah and expect to be completed by 2026.