Tuai Rumah Seli Ukit (third right) shows the fire extinguisher unit presented by Aaron (left).

KANOWIT: The inclusion of Kanowit District in Upper Rajang Development Agency (Urda) will help to transform the lives of the people here.

Kanowit MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said this is because Urda is a master plan for the development of areas stretching from Kanowit to upper Rajang.

“Our inclusion means we will get benefit from funds from the government, allocated especially for the development of areas under Urda.

“Areas in Kanowit District to upper Rajang will become a major economic development area. Thanks to the state government for including Kanowit in this master plan,” he said when officiating at the closing of ‘WAIfm Datai Nemuai’ (WaifFm Comes to Visit) programme at Rumah Seli Ukit in Nanga Ngungun resettlement scheme here on Saturday.

The formation of Urda was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during his visit to Kapit on April 25 last year.  The new agency chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing was set up under the Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) Ordinance 2006 (4b).

Initially, it covered an area of 38,000 square kilometres or one-third of Sarawak in Kapit and Bintulu divisions.

Earlier, Aaron updated the people on the progress of Nanga Ngungun-Nanga Jagau road. He said the RM50-million road to be built by the army under the ‘Jiwa Murni’ programme was now in the process of implementation.

“I hope those involved will start the road construction as soon as possible before the 14th general election. The road will be one of the issues in Kanowit in the coming election,” he said.

He also said that Kanowit had changed a lot in terms of infrastructure development.

“Take for example the road to Nanga Ngungun. Ten years ago we could only dream that the road would be built but today the people can travel by road to other places,” he said.

‘WAIfm Datai Nemuai’ is a programme organised by RTM Sarawak. Among the activities held were health screening, fire safety talk and demonstration by Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Kanowit and meet and greet session with WAIfm radio deejays and personalities.