KARAMUNTING MPS FLATS AND SURROUNDING AREA IN NEED OF ATTENTION

A large number of water pipes illegally connected from fire hydrant for water

SANDAKAN: An inspection of several rows of flats at the Karamunting area has exposed a number of issues that needed attention.

Sandakan Municipal Council Highway and Public Utilities Committee (HPUC) headed by Taren Sunil Manoharan with officers from the Sekong Constituency Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM) and representatives from the Public Works Department recently visited the flats at the Karamunting area, also known as MPS flats.

The team members were surprised to see that there were many small pipes connected to the main sewage pipes of the flats and these smaller pipes led directly into open drains.

Upon seeing this, the Public Works Department personnel checked the situation and informed the residents that the sewage system was working fine and that all the pipes installed to bypass the manholes should be removed to ensure sewage does not flow into the open drains anymore.

Meanwhile many of the drains were clogged by all sorts of rubbish. Drain covers were also missing at many places. Overgrown grass was left uncut at several open spaces.

“We have informed the appointed contractor to come and clear the drains as soon as possible. The missing drain covers will have to be replaced for the safety of the residents, especially children,” said Taren Sunil adding that the grass would be trimmed.

The fire hydrants were also in a bad state. There were many illegal pipe connections to these hydrants and it was quite obvious that some people were getting a free supply of water from them.

“Action will have to be taken to stop this misuse of water from fire hydrants. It would be a disaster if there was a fire outbreak and firemen could not get enough water from the hydrants’ water chambers,” warned Taren Sunil.

The team members advised residents to help take good care of the public facilities provided as they will be the losers if items like drain covers, sewer pipes and fire hydrants were damaged or vandalized.

“We also strongly urged the residents not to dump rubbish into drains and waterways as stagnant water will become fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests creating a health hazard for the residents,” said Taren Sunil.