LAWAS : The long wait to cross the Pandaruan river finally came to an end with the opening of a new bridge connecting both ends of two neighbouring countries, Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia, this morning.
Aptly named as the Jambatan Persahabatan (Friendship Bridge), the RM20.8 million bridge which connects the Borneo and Sarawak border at Pandaruan , was jointly officiated by Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Abdul Razak.
With the construction of the189 meter bridge, motorists need not wait for four to five hours during peak hours just to cross the Pandaruan river with the ferry. With the new bridge, Malaysia and Brunei hope to foster closer relationship and see increase in economic activities such as tourism and business.
The bride also marks a historical point as it is the last stretch to connect the Pan- Borneo highway which runs for more than 2000km from Kuching in Sarawak , through Brunei Darussalam to Tawau, Sabah.
Brunei and Malaysia signed the agreement to construct the bridge on 12th September 2011 and it was completed by a Malaysian contractor , Perkerjaan Piasau Konkerit Sdn Bhd in 15 months. The cost of the bridge was jointly shared by both countries and the construction of the roads on each side were borne by individual countries.
The event was also attended by Sarawak Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Haniffah Aman, Home Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi, Works Minister Datuk Hj Fadillah Yusof and other invited dignitaries from both countries.-/PENERANGAN
RS/AM
No comments:
Post a Comment