Temburong - Under a blanket of darkness, the Minister of Communications, Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar, last night led an entourage to test and assess the recently installed navigation lights along the Brunei and Temburong River.

In an interview with the minister during the tour, he said some areas still need to be assessed because it can be confusing as the very low visibility could test the navigator's eyesight.

The media persons on board witnessed the minister's entourage face a hitch in finding the way back just for a while, even though it had one of the best navigating equipment onboard.

The tour was purposely conducted at night to assess the navigation lights.

Exactly 51 concrete and span pipe navigating night lights have been strategically placed along the Temburong River as part of the National Development Plan 2007-2012 and were turned on in May thisyear.

At the cost of B$1.7 million, the navigation lights -which beam green and red coloured lights - automatically turn on as the sun sets and light fades and automatically turn off at the first rays of the sun the following day.

Also with the minister were Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin OKSS Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yusof and Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, Pengiran Hj Mohd Zain, division directors and departmental heads and officers. The minister was also accompanied by Haji Salihin bin Hj Aspar, Acting Director of Marine Department.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin