RM40m to transform Kiamsam into nation's first Fishing Town
Published on: Friday, February 23, 2018
Labuan: A RM40 million allocation has been approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry to transform Kiamsam here into the country's first Fishing Town within two years.Its Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the allocation included RM15 million for the resettlement of fishermen and another RM3 million to build an electrical substation at the current Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) complex in Kiamsam.He said construction work on the second phase of the project, costing RM20 million, was expected to begin in the second quarter of this year.
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"The allocation includes for provision of additional landing facilities through the construction and upgrading work at the complex, including jetties, to meet the needs of fishing entrepreneurs," he said at the launch of the Fishing Town Blueprint and a meet-the-people session at the LKIM Complex, here, Thursday.He said the development of the area is expected to have an economic impact on the 3,000-odd residents and 500 traders and entrepreneurs there."This will create a new fishing town which will balance the population density and traffic of Bandar Labuan," he said.Ahmad Shabery said the first phase of the project, costing RM10 million, which involved the construction of basic fish landing components, was completed and fully-operational since last year.
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He said the Blueprint for Kiamsam Fishing Town was in line with the Ministry's objective to develop a centralised comprehensive Fishing Town, which is in line with the Labuan Blueprint 2018 launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak recently."We hope the allocation for the fishermen's resettlement is capable of providing the infrastructure facilities and a community hall, thus giving the fishing community a better quality of life," he said.
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Ahmad Shabery said the project would hopefully boost the fishing industry there and provide about 1,000 new jobs to the community as well as create a modern fishing town, complete with various infrastructure facilities."It is also expected to increase landing activities, thus creating an economic impact on all those involved in the fishing sector and industry in Labuan," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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