PENAMPANG, Oct 30 — Two rural road upgrade projects in Kampung Buayan and Kampung Terian here, involving a total allocation of RM173.263 million, are making positive progress, with both projects ahead of their scheduled completion timelines.

Sabah deputy chief minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick said the RM73.868 million Kampung Buayan rural road upgrade — involving a 5.6-kilometre stretch of road and the construction of two bridges — is at 76.64 per cent physical progress, 45 days ahead of schedule, and is expected to be completed in August 2027, while the RM99.395 million Kampung Terian rural road upgrade — involves a 6.7-kilometre stretch of road — is at 57.83 per cent progress, 58 days ahead of schedule, and is expected to be completed in May 2028.

“Both projects began in 2024 with funding from the Federal Government through the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW), and are monitored by the Sabah Public Works Department (JKR).

“I am satisfied with the implementation progress of these projects and hope they can be completed within the timelines set for the contractors,” the Penampang MP told reporters after visiting the project sites here today with Moyog assemblyman Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin.

Ewon, who is also Sabah Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister, said the Kampung Buayan project was progressing smoothly without requiring an extension of time (EOT), while the Kampung Terian project had been granted a one-year EOT due to land acquisition issues and the location of the concrete bridge construction.

The implementation progress of both projects had also been discussed at the Penampang District Development Action Committee meeting to ensure that their progress continued to be monitored, he added.

Meanwhile, Ewon said he and Donald would engage with relevant parties to secure funding to extend the rural road alignment to Kampung Longkogungan as part of efforts to realise the Penampang Development Master Plan 2024-2035.

He hoped that both rural road projects, together with other small-scale development projects, would improve infrastructure facilities and benefit residents and visitors to nearby villages once fully completed.

He said efforts would also be undertaken to help residents obtain land titles through the Sabah Native Customary Land Services Programme (PANTAS).

During the visit, Ewon also presented spandek roofing sheets to 33 households under the first phase of assistance to replace old roofs and agreed to allocate similar assistance to another 44 families that had submitted applications. — Bernama