KOTA BELUD: The first phase of the Tamu Desa project in Sabah is progressing as planned, said Cooperatives and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Overall, he noted a total of 36 Tamu Desa (community market) sites in 16 districts of the State will be upgraded or replaced with new buildings under the first phase of the project at a cost of RM7.005 million.
Of the total, he said 14 Tamu Desa sites in Kota Belud district will be upgraded and rebuilt with new facilities at a sum of RM2.95 million.
Speaking at a briefing on the implementation of the Tamu Desa Development Project in Kota Belud, Ewon also urged the District Office, which has been appointed as the administrator of the project, to take measures to ensure the smooth running of the project.
“The District Office has been given the responsibility to carry out the required measures to ensure the Tamu Desa project is implemented effectively according to the scope of work and fully completed by end of this year,” he added.
Ewon also hoped the Tamu Desa project can provide comfort and better facilities for small traders at community markets upon its completion.
He added, the Ministry will be closely following the development of the project.
After the briefing, Ewon, who is also Kadamaian Assemblyman, visited the Tamu Desa site in Kg Rangalau and officiated the ground-breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the development of Tamu Desa in the village.
He proceeded to inspect the initial development works of Tamu Desa in Kg Gaur and Tamu Desa Sosondoton Kg Piasau, which are now running smoothly.
Among the Tamu Desa sites in the Kota Belud area that will be built and upgraded are Tamu Desa Sosondoton Piasau, Bazaar Sayap, Tamu Desa Kg Takulung, Tamu Desa Layu Nahaba, Tamu Desa Kg Gaur, Kg Pinolobu, Kg Sumbilingon, Kg Sarang, Kg Rangalau, Pekan Taginambur, Kg Melangkap, Kg Lasau, Kg Kiau Taburi and Tamu Desa Kg Lompios.
Also present was Kuskop Cooperatives, Hawkers and Small Traders Division Secretary Azizul Alias.
