Set deadlines on completion of projects, Jabu told

By Simon Peter

BETONG, March 5, 2015: Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Numpang has been reminded to set a definite deadlines on completion of projects for the benefits of the affected target groups.

"He cannot just make promises left, right and centre. He must set the deadlines for projects to be completed," State PKR information chief Vernon Aji Kedit said in a statement today.

Citing an example, Aji said Jabu must set the date when the eight proposed bridges that were promised to the flood stricken longhouses would be completed.

The bridges were damaged by the recent floods, affecting communications to and from the longhouses.

Aji said Jabu is well known throughout Sarawak for making promises left, right and centre, but his open ended promises seldom come with deadlines.

"This time, on behalf of the people of Betong, I would like him in his capacity as Deputy Chief Minister to instruct the Public Works Department  to come up with a schedule of timeline of project management for each of the eight  bridges and their completion.

"Please let us also know when you will give the victims of the landslide at Rumah Anji anak Bala of Mupoh Baruh, the RM8,000 per family you promised them to build temporary homes before the Government assists in building their new longhouse.

"We want completion dates and we want the Audit Department to monitor these projects as we have heard too many promises in the past and we don't want the banana tree to bear rotten fruit multiple times over," Aji said.

Saying thatbasic infrastructures like roads, hospitals, schools and bridges are not gifts which the people must be grateful for, Aji said these basic facilities are the responsibility of the Government to provide at all times.

"It goes without saying that when disaster strikes, it is the responsibility of the Government elected by the people to fulfil their duties without turning it into political mileage.

"The Politics of Development touted by Jabu is outdated and was wrong in the first place," he said, adding that development is the Government's job, not its political prerogative as to who and when to give.

He said tthe funds and allocations used to build, upgrade and repair bridges come from the Finance Ministry coffers which are constantly replenished by the people's money collected through taxation of all forms.

"The monies used to repair these bridges do not come from the bank accounts of political parties or the private bank accounts of the elected representatives  or the ministers.

"Therefore, there is no need for the people to be grateful for something which they have paid for themselves. It is our entitlement by right, not our reward for supporting BN.

Aji also reminded Jabu of the countless promises he had made after he was elected in 1974,  many of which have remained unfulfilled till today.

"We want him to be reminded of his outstanding promises to Jugir, Lubau Baru, all the longhouses in Spak and Ulu Padeh which have yet to be fulfilled.

"He has a lot of catching up to do, and I hope for the sake of the people he will be able to complete all the infrastructure development promises he has carelessly thrown during all the election campaigns of his seven terms," he said, adding that many of the people that Jabu made promises to have since died, but their children have not forgotten those promises.