6/7/2010 — BERNAMA
The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) has been allocated RM50 million to revive the development projects formerly implemented by the now-defunct Southeast Pahang Development Authority (DARA) and Jengka Regional Development Authority (LKWJ).
The fund would be channeled to the respective local councils within the areas namely Maran, Rompin, Pekan, Bera, Jerantut and Temerloh, ECERDC said in a statement today.
It said the fund would be used to spruce up the areas’ general maintenance, including upgrades of roads and drainage system, and to implement high-impact socio-economic programmes and projects that will benefit the local communities, such as the upgrading of hawker stalls, surau and sports facilities.
“The areas, which were found to be poorly maintained upon the disbandment of DARA and LKWJ, were also lagging in their socio-development due to the local councils’ limited funds and manpower,” ECERDC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Jebasingam Issace John said in the statement.
On a long term basis, ECERDC has also proposed for an additional special allocation by the government to ensure the continuous maintenance of these areas and sustain the implementation of socio-economic projects.
This was among the issues raised during the state-level ECER Implementation and Coordination Committee (ICC) meeting chaired by Pahang Menteri Besar DatukSeri Adnan Yaakob in Kuantan today, ECERDC said.
During the ICC meeting, the committee was also briefed about the progress made on ECER projects in Pahang, which included the Agropolitan Pekan socio-economic project, conservation of Lake Chini, Kerjaya human capital development programme, Kuantan Port City and various tourism projects.