Local resident renews Lumapas bridge proposal
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Hj Kassim bin Hj Sapar

The need for a connecting bridge linking Bandar Seri Begawan and Lumapas across the Brunei River was again put forward by a resident, for duly consideration by the relevant authority. Awg Hj Kassim bin Hj Sapar, the Deputy Chairman of the Mukim Lumapas Legislative Council and the Adviser of the Kg Lumapas A Legislative Council said that such a bridge would be beneficial economically for both places, favourable towards improving the education of the younger generation in the mukim, and good for social interaction.

He added that if the constructed bridge linking Bandar Seri Begawan and Kiulap brought prosperity to the Kiulap area, then the same thing should be done for the people of Lumapas.

"There are residents who have several houses to be rented out but were unable to do so, as people such as teachers teaching in the area did not want to stay there, preferring to hike a boat ride between BSB where they live and Mukim Lumapas where they work," he said.

Hj Kassim was renewing his proposal made recently when Mukim Lumapas was visited by an entourage led by the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Dato Paduka Awg Hj Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Mohd Yusof last April 17.

He said that he made the same proposal years ago when the mukim was also visited by officials of the Home Affairs Ministry.

He added that, because of the unavailability of a bridge linking the two areas, there had been "intellectual wastage", as local intellectuals would rather stay in the capital instead of staying put in Mukim Lumapas and helping develop the place.

"Because of this, the teachers would not conduct extra classes or any other activities beneficial to the local students.

"Therefore if there is a bridge, teachers and other professionals, including the mukim's intellectuals would not mind staying in the mukim, thereby helping in developing their areas," he said.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin