PENAMPANG: Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said construction of a new Donggongon Tamu is expected to start next year.
Ewon, who is also Penampang MP, said the Public Works Department is currently in the process of appointing a consultant to come up with a design for the Tamu.
“I was made to understand that the design would be completed in six months, but I have asked for it to be shortened to three months,” he said after visiting the Donggongon Tamu and SMK Kipovo construction site, here, Friday.
“After that, the tenders would be called and the contractor appointed.
“I am targeting the acquisition process to be completed by Nov 18 where we would be holding the national-level Hawkers and Small Traders’ Day in Penampang, which will be officiated by the Prime Minister.”
Ewon also said he would be asking for an allocation from the Prime Minister to provide facilities at the temporary Donggongon Tamu site.
“After the acquisition process this year, the actual construction will start next year and it is expected to take about a year and a half to be completed.
“Surely, the tamu traders need a temporary site and I will ask for an allocation to provide facilities at the temporary site,” he said.
On the delayed construction of SMK Kipouvo, he said, the project is expected to be completed by next year.
“The delay was due to several factors, including the weather.”
Ewon also highlighted one of the main issues concerning SMK Kipouvo, which is the water supply.
“I hope this issue would be submitted to the district action meeting on Jan 26 so that we can finalise its solution.
“It would be a problem if there is no water supply when the construction of the school is completed,” he said.
He also said he had set up a committee to monitor big-scale projects in the district.
“One of the projects to be monitored is the SMK Kipouvo construction. The committee would meet once in three months to monitor the progress of these projects.”
Also present were Kapayan Assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang and District Officer Francis Chong.
