By Junaidi Bahrum
Tutong – Tutong District is expected to undergo a socio-economic boom soon with the implementation of the Tutong Development Plan following the completion of a 14-month study which commenced yesterday.
According to the Ministry of Development, the implementation of the development plan is aimed at attracting investments and revenue while enhancing the living standard of the residents.
This was disclosed yesterday during a signing ceremony between the Town and Country Planning Department (TCP) and Integrated Environmental Consultants Sdn Bhd (IEC), which was assigned to handle the study.
Hong Kok Seng, commissioner of TCP, said the Tutong Development Plan falls under the country’s Master Development Plan 2035, which has already been implemented in the Belait and Temburong districts.
There are two divisions under the master plan, which is the District Plan and the Local Development Plan, said the commissioner.
Under the Tutong District study plan, the department will be able to set up comprehensive guidelines and proper land allocation for the final development phases.
However, the guidelines and land allocation will he based on the guidance and advice of the local residents, who play an important role in the development process.
With the study, the department will also be able to identify the short, middle and longterm socio-economic growth objectives that will be enjoyed by residents of Tutong, said the commissioner, adding that with the study, the department will be able to ensure that there will be equitable distribution of resources.
Under the guidelines, IEC will identify the landuse for social purposes, such as public housing areas and schools. Meanwhile, for economic growth, IEC must look into both the urban and rural aspects to gauge the feasibility and potential of each area without sacrificing cultural and environmental needs, he said.
The commissioner also added that the study will he able to identify investment needs to ensure that a proper and full ‘development process will take place.
In the 14-month duration, IEC is also tasked to identify Tutong’s unique identity in order to separate its potential from the rest identifying and overcoming flaws that might hinder growth.
Upon completion of the study, the department will present the findings through four talks aimed at the different stakeholders of Tutong.
The first talk will he for the Tutong populace to ensure that they fully agree with the findings and the approach the department will be taking towards the development plans. The second talk will be aimed towards both the private and government sector and the third for selected individuals or companies.
A final draft will be compiled upon completion of the study plan and the final report will be presented to the stakeholders before commencing development.
In elaborating the purpose of the study, the TCP commissioner explained that IEC is tasked to incorporate local residents’ points of View inside their environmental and development assessment, even though the department has already laid out its infrastuctural plans.
This, he said, will mark and highlight flaws, if any, in the department’s infrastructural plans to ensure that socioeconomic growth of the residents are protected.
Due to the nature of the large-scale development projects, the public is urged to cooperate with IEC and the department so that a comprehensive and transparent assessment can be done, hence, ensuring the sustainability and further growth of the Tutong District.
Present to sign on behalf of the Ministry of Development along with the commissioner was the permanent secretary (administration and finance) of the ministry, Hj Mohd Rozan Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yunos, while IEC was represented by its directors, Warwick Newall and Pg Hj Mohd Salleh Pg Hj Kamaluddin.
Witnessing the ceremony was the Tutong District officer, Hj Idris Hj Ali and the appointed LegCo member for the district, Orang Kaya Jaya Putera Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Tait’ Abdul Raul IEC, as the consultant selected to handle the study, has a vast understanding and relations with residents of Tutong District and has previously worked on the Danau Development Study and Telisai Flood Mitigation assessment projects.
The next district in line for a comprehensive development study will be the Brunei-Muara District. — Courtesy of The Brunei Times
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