Kampung Tigot bridge in Sabah reopens after year‑long closure, restoring vital rural access

KENINGAU, May 24 — The reopening of the Kampung Tigot bridge after nearly a year of closure has restored a crucial transport link for several rural villages that rely heavily on the route for daily commuting, healthcare, education and economic activities.

The bridge, which had been damaged since October last year, serves as the main access route connecting villagers to Keningau town, hospitals, health clinics, schools and workplaces in both the government and private sectors.

For many villagers, the route is also essential for transporting agricultural produce to markets, making it an important lifeline for sustaining household incomes.

Kampung Tigot Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairman Basilius Donald said the closure of the bridge had posed significant challenges to residents, who were forced to use alternative routes for almost a year.

However, he said strong cooperation among various parties enabled repair works to be completed and the bridge reopened to the public.

“The Kampung Tigot JKKK would like to express our highest appreciation and gratitude to all parties directly and indirectly involved in completing and reopening this bridge route,” he said in a statement.

The damaged old wooden bridge. — The Borneo Post pic

Basilius also expressed appreciation to landowners who allowed villagers to use alternative routes during the closure period to ensure communities were not completely cut off.

Special thanks were also extended to Bingkor assemblyman Datuk Mohd Ishak Ayub, the Unit Pemimpin Pembangunan Masyarakat (UPPM), the District Office, Public Works Department (JKR), concession teams, contractors, site workers and villagers for their patience and cooperation throughout the repair works.

He said the reopening of the bridge not only eases daily travel for villagers, but also symbolises the importance of road connectivity to the livelihoods of rural communities.

“The road network is essential for people to move around, work and continue their daily lives,” he added. — The Borneo Post

المصدر: Malay Mail