RM5b spent to build rural roads for past three years

RANAU, Sept 22 — The federal government has spent RM5 billion to build 2,692km of rural roads nationwide, including Sabah and Sarawak for the past three years until August, said Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie.

He said of the amount, RM304.4 million was spent to build rural roads in Sabah and RM372.7 million in Sarawak.

“We have accomplished the NKRAs (National Key Result Areas) target to build 2,800km of roads in five years as pledged in the 13^th general election manifesto,” he told reporters after opening the 15km Kibbas-Mohimboyon rural road costing RM35.5 million in Kampung Toboh Baru here today.  He said the road, which took two years to complete, would benefit about 5,000 people in five villages.

“We will continue to build better infrastructure and roads and our goal is to build 137km more rural roads by the end of the year,” he said, adding that the government would also improve basic facilities such as electricity and water supply in rural areas, including Ranau, Keningau and Tenom.  — Bernama