| Azaraimy HH |
RESIDENTS, especially the business community in Kampong Telisai and its surrounding areas, heaved a sigh of relief as the construction of an entry junction from the Telisai-Lumut Highway was completed earlier this week.
As highlighted by the Weekend Bulletin last year, businesses in the area were badly affected due to the lack of convenient entry points into the area. The business community in Kampong Telisai depended a lot on the nearby areas, but has seen their customers dwindle and revenues decline after the building of the new highway.
The construction of the highway has shortened the travel time between Tutong and Belait districts tremendously, but it also cost the businesses in the area a lot of their customers.
The most affected were the market traders including fruit and vegetable vendors at Telisai market, where most have already moved elsewhere due to customer shortage. Other business that bore the brunt included convenient stores, supermarkets, eateries, petrol stations and a clinic.
However, the construction of new entry points has brought back cheers to the business community and now they are witnessing their businesses slowly returning to normal.
During a short tour of the area yesterday, the Weekend Bulletin had a chance to talk to some of the businessmen.
Residents and the business community in Kampong Telisai are hopeful that customers and revenue will return with the completion of an entry junction from the Telisai-Lumut Highway earlier this week. Photo shows Telisai market vendors waiting for customers.
The newly constructed entry junction from the Telisai-Lumut Highway which allows easier access to Kampong Telisai. – PHOTOS: AZARAIMY HH
Expressing relief, Haji Ali bin Mohammad Syarif, Manager of the Haji KK Koya and Sons Restaurant, said that the construction of the new entry junction to Kampong Telisai has made it more convenient for customers from nearby areas – such as the Bukit Beruang National Housing Scheme area – to reach the commercial centres of Telisai. The businesses also depended on commuters from Tutong, Brunei-Muara and Belait districts and for them, entry to Telisai is now easy, he added.
The Weekend Bulletin yesterday saw the restaurants in the area packed with customers.
Meanwhile, one of the few traders left at the Telisai market, Sahaidi bin Sahibul, 56, shared that customers have become rare nowadays, but he too is hopeful that business will return with the construction of the new entry point.
During the visit, the Weekend Bulletin found that he was the only fruit vendor still standing around. In fact he was the only trader around.
“There are others, but they rarely make an appearance, some will come late in the afternoon or at night, because there are absolutely no customers during the time. Many had shifted elsewhere, like to Jerudong market and to roadside areas of Telisai-Lumut Highway,” Sahaidi said.
Deeper into the conversation, he said before the construction of the highway, he used to sell in larger volume fruits such as corns and watermelons, but nowadays things have become hard. His corns that used to be sold out earlier now remain at the stall at the end of day.
The construction of the entry points, he hoped, will prompt the departed traders to return.
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