The new Passenger Jetty in Bangar, Temburong, built at a cost of $1.4 million, was officially opened yesterday, ready to provide easy access to and from the popular destination for tourists and better access for local villagers in the district.

"The jetty can easily accommodate 200 passengers at one time and can start operation immediately, " Ports Department Director Ang Kian Guan said yesterday.

"The old jetty will be demolished," he added.

Ang explained that the new jetty, officially called the Terminal Perahu dan Penumpang ("Passenger Jetty"), was just one of the projects by the Ports Department, under the Ministry of Communications, that aim to "provide better facilities, in terms of safety and comfort".

A project under the National Development Plan, construction of the jetty began in June 19, 2008 and completed on December 19, 2009.

The jetty, located next to the Memorial Monument, together with a new boat and passenger terminal building, is to replace the existing jetty, which was handed over to the Temburong District Office by the Ports Department on October 13, 1999.

The one-storey building functions to facilitate jetty passengers and inland containers, as well as monitor the operations of ships carrying sand or stones from the quarry to the stone processing sites along Temburong River, said a press statement from the Ports Department.

Among the facilities available are car lanes for arriving and departing passengers, a waiting hall, air conditioning, public toilets, a ticket sales counter, offices for staff and other agencies, and a prayer room, the statement added.

The Ports Department decided to retain the jetty's original location and enhanced the area in the hope of turning it into a tourist attraction for the district.

However, as of midday yesterday, travellers from Temburong to Bandar and vice-versa were still seen using the old jetty.

A representative from one of the boat operators, Pengangkutan Bersatu Temburong Dgn Tanggungan Bhd, said they were waiting for orders from the relevant authorities to move to the new jetty.

Minister of Communications Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong was guest of honour at the official opening.

The event saw the presentation of mock key from the Public Works Department of the Ministry of Development to the Ports Department, signifying the official handover of the jetty.

Present was State Legislative Council member Hj Sulaiman Hj Ahad and Temburong Assistant District Officer Seazaly Hj Timbang as well as penghulu and village heads and boat operators in Temburong.

Also present at the ceremony were senior officers from the Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Development, as well as officials from the Royal Brunei Police Force, Immigration and National Registration Department, Royal Customs and Excise Department and Narcotics Control Bureau.

Meanwhile, similar plans are being drawn up to upgrade the Kianggeh jetty in Bandar, said Ang.

"The upgrade of the Kianggeh jetty is a project under the Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) Development Master Plan. The Ministry of Development is doing the enhancement, widening the roads including upgrading the jetty," he explained.

Link: http://www.bt.com.bn/en/news-national/2010/01/08/new-jetty-begins-operation