Penampang Development Plan launched
Published on: Friday, December 08, 2023
By: Ricardo Unto
Anwar (middle) is flanked by Hajiji (left) and Ewon at the launching of 2023 HPPK Carnival at Buhavan Square.
PENAMPANG: The Penampang Development Plan 2024-2035, launched with the opening of the national-level Hawkers and Traders’ Day Carnival (HPPK) 2023, will be an input for preparing state and federal government development plans in the area.
Penampang Member of Parliament cum Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said he is committed to making the development plan a success with the support of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
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“The preparation of this plan was made possible by the Sabah Development Studies Institute (IDS) involving studies and engagement sessions with the people of Penampang within six months using my MP allocation this year,” he said at Buhavan Square, Donggongon, here, Thursday.
“This is my approach to managing development in the Penampang area in a more planned and integrated manner.
“With today’s (Thursday) launch, I hope all ministries, departments and agencies can make my vision and the hopes of the people of Penampang a success.”
The HPPK Carnival 2023 was organised by the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry (Kuskop) and officiated by Anwar.
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Ewon said with the launch of the Penampang Development Plan, he will follow up with all the relevant ministries, departments and agencies involved in implementing the development plan.
“I will work on this initiative consistently to get as many youths as the people of Penampang need, as contained in the Penampang Development Plan.
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“With the initial allocation of RM2 million announced by the Prime Minister, I believe it can solve some small needs in this area,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Ewon requested a special allocation from the Prime Minister to start small and medium-scale projects that can immediately benefit the people of Penampang.
“Among them, the maintenance and repair of ditches, rivers and flood damage, the construction of new roads, especially from Kampung Timpangoh Babagon to Kampung Putaton Inobong, the development of houses of worship and the construction of village dormitories for students in several schools in Penampang,” he said.
Ewon said large-scale projects such as flood mitigation, construction of new schools, reconstruction of community halls, development of Kepayan town, upgrading of utility facilities and other developments would be followed up in writing and consistently with the relevant ministry.
“I also hope that delayed projects currently in the procurement and consultancy process, such as Donggongon Tamu, health clinic, Moyog Rural Water Supply, road upgrades and streetlights, can be implemented immediately,” he said.
He said the development needs to be implemented in line with the rapid development of Penampang as a “second city to Kota Kinabalu” in the context of the Greater City of Kota Kinabalu, as well as the upgrading of the Penampang District Council to a Municipal Council.
He said the Moyog rural water supply project is in the consultation stage.
“Consultants appointed by the Regional and Rural Development Ministry have carried out a field study, and there has already been a dialogue session with the villagers involved.
“These findings will be presented at the Penampang district development action meeting and submitted to the Rural Development Ministry for the following process.
“I hope this project can be started in 2025-2026 so that the villagers in Upper Moyog can have a supply of treated clean water.”
To this end, he hoped the villagers would fully support the water treatment plant project.
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