PENAMPANG: Villagers of Kampung Hubah, Babah and Bunduon, together with non-governmental organisation Penampang Watchers, are urging the authorities to immediately repair the partially collapsed Jalan NC Mogunting, which they claim has been left unattended for nearly two years.
The group gathered at the site yesterday to call for urgent action, saying the only measures taken so far were the installation of makeshift barriers and plastic coverings.
Resident Morrin Lojinon said the road partially collapsed following a flood more than a year and a half ago, leaving only a narrow, potholed single lane for motorists.
He said vehicles frequently encountered each other along the stretch, forcing one to reverse uphill or downhill to allow the other to pass, posing a safety risk, particularly at night due to the lack of street lighting.
Lojinon said the road also served as a shortcut for motorists from nearby villages, including Mahandoi and Ramayah, who used it to reach town via the Pan Borneo Highway to avoid morning traffic congestion.
He said the road should therefore be repaired as soon as possible to ensure the safety of its users.
Kampung Hubah resident and former village chief Clare John Bosuin said she had heard that a tender had been called for the repair works, but the Public Works Department (JKR) had yet to take further action.
She also expressed concern over heavy vehicles, including lorries weighing more than 10 tonnes, continuing to use the damaged road.
“Fearing for my safety, I have to pray every time before passing here, hence it must be repaired immediately as it has been nearly two years,” she said.
Penampang Watchers said hundreds of vehicles used the road daily and urged the authorities to expedite the repair process instead of allowing bureaucratic procedures to delay the work.
The group questioned why repairs had yet to begin despite claims that two tenders had been called, warning that further delays could increase the risk of a serious accident.
It also pointed out that the Penampang Municipal Council President used the road daily and that the Chief Minister had travelled along the route, urging the authorities to give the matter greater attention.
Another group member questioned whether the tender process had attracted sufficient interest from qualified contractors and called for greater transparency in the appointment of contractors for the repair works.
Efforts to contact the relevant authorities for comment were unsuccessful at press time.