Bridge Over Brunei River A Hot Issue Once Again

Bandar Seri Begawan - A bridge over Brunei River has become a hot issue once again.

The matter of the bridge, which was brought up 30 years ago as a vital link, was shelved indefinitely at that time although there was much enthusiasm shown in some official quarters at that time. Architectural drawings were prepared and an artist's impression was published in the local paper.

But all that came to no avail and the much-needed project was put off for some unexplainable reason.

Meanwhile the Lumapas population just across the river has grown markedly and the people now have to take a short water taxis ride or negotiate a laborious road journey to reach Bandar Seri Begawan.

The absence of the bridge has hindered progress and it is now seen as essential of the land on the other side of Sungei Brunei is to be meaningfully developed.

And this time around it was among the issues people of Lumapas who live across the other bank of Sungei Brunei brought up during a meeting in which some prominent government officials attended.

Among matters the Mukim Lumapas Consultative Council was a request for a bridge to be build across the Brunei River that link Mukim Lumapas and Mukim Sungai Kebun with the capital. The bridge will shorten the journey to the capital, they said.

According to the representative of the Mukim Lumapas, the project, which has been planned to be built back in the 70s should be implemented at this time due to the increase population in the areas and the formation of new kampongs.

But according to the Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Development, Awang Haji Jumin the application to build the bridge has been analysed and was found to be unsuitable. He did not elaborate.

Instead, the government of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei through the Public Works Department has built the Junjungan Bridge under the 8th National Development Plan.

However, according to Awang Haji Jumin, the application will be reviewed based in conformity in terms of security and economic viability.

The meeting was conducted by the Information Department with the cooperation of the Mukim Lumapas Consultative Council at Kampong Lumapas.

Meanwhile, various other issues were highlighted and discussed at the gathering. 

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