Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak commended the progress of the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC)’s Pekan Agropolitan socioeconomic project, which has benefited some 130 poor families and is expected to transform the lives of over 400 families by mid-2012.

About 100 poor families in Batu 8, Mukim Lepar here are now enjoying better lives and steady income through their participation in the Pekan Agropolitan project.

The families have recently moved into their new homes built by ECERDC, complete with public amenities such as a community hall, kindergarten, mosque and shop lots.  The participants are also earning stable income now through their involvement in Dorper sheep rearing activity.

“Through various economic activities already planned for the participants, they are expected to generate a steady monthly income of between RM1,000 and RM2,000 within the first three years of the project and the amount is expected to increase to RM5,000 per month over the long term.  This is in line with the Government’s Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) towards creating a high-income nation,” said Najib after symbolically handing over the new house keys to 100 Agropolitan participants in Batu 8 on April 9, 2011.

Also present to witness the event were Pahang Menteri Besar, YAB Dato’ Sri Diraja Haji Adnan Haji Yaakob and Chief Executive Officer of ECERDC, YBhg. Dato’ Jebasingam Issace John.