BETONG: Residents of two longhouses here, who were affected by the recent floods, are all smiles after receiving a long boat and an eight-horsepower motorboat from the state government.

Headmen of Rumah Comos Meribong and Rumah Galau, Nanga Jelau of Layar accepted the contribution on the villagers’ behalf from political secretary to chief minister Isik Utau here yesterday.

“The government is making all the efforts in helping the people by giving facilities that can be used by all. During the recent floods, the bridges leading to these two longhouses were damaged, cutting the communities off.

“Now, an alternative way to reach the villages is via the river,” Isik said, adding that the state government had approved the allocation to rebuild not only the bridge leading to Rumah Comos Meribong and Rumah Galau, but also six others across this district.

“The government has also approved the allocation to rebuild Rumah Mupoh Baroh, which was destroyed during the floods,” he told those at the event, which was also attended by Betong Deputy Resident Galong Luang, Betong District Council officer Friday Belik and Betong Iban community leader Temenggong Nunong Dandan.