PENAMPANG: Work has begun on the RM7 million Donggongon Weekly Market (Tamu) Upgrading Project which was delayed for seven years, fulfilling the aspirations of the local community, particularly traders. Member of Parliament, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said the project on the existing 0.09-hectare site is expected to be completed by April next year.
“In addition to preserving the community’s cultural identity, various additional facilities will be constructed under this new design project, including 550 new sales lots, male/female toilets and disabled-friendly (OKU) toilets.
“Shower areas for traders will also be provided, along with the construction of separate dry and wet markets, parking areas, and several other facilities that meet the needs of traders and the local community,” he said, after the ground breaking ceremony.
Ewon, who is also Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister, said the project was previously announced by former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in 2018.
However, it was delayed due to certain reasons, which led to the withdrawal of the allocation until he took the initiative to revive it after being elected as the Penampang MP in 2022.
“Less than two months after becoming Penampang MP, I brought the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) Director General from the Prime Minister’s Department and several other parties to visit the Tamu. This was to request for the project’s allocation to be continued, and at the same time for procurement to be expedited. As a result, the project has now started and I hope it will be completed on time,” he said.
He said the District Development Action Committee platform would monitor the implementation to ensure no delays.
Monitoring would also be done every two months and this initiative also involves the implementation of several other development projects in the area.
“With the implementation, I consider part of my election manifesto, which was to ensure that what has been delayed in Penampang can be initiated, has been fulfilled,” he said.
