MAJOR CLEAN-UP AT BDC SANDAKAN TO START IN OCTOBER

JKR’s Jafar Tuah (2L) in discussion with HPUC members at the BDC area in Sandakan. A long stretch of llegally-built concrete drain covers hinder clearing & maintenance.

SANDAKAN: A major cleanup of drains and other facilities at the BDC area in Sandakan will begin next month.

This follows a joint visit to the area by the Sandakan Municipal Council’s Highway and Public Utilities Committee (HPUC) and representatives from the Public Works Department (JKR).

The Head of HPUC, Taren Sunil Manoharan, together with fellow Committee members Bryan Chang and Said Rasul, made a site inspection to the area together with JKR’s Jafar Tuah. They found that there were many shortcomings that needed to be addressed.

Taren Sunil expressed his disappointment that a large monsoon drain along the coastal road at the BDC area was filled with all sorts of rubbish and flotsam.

“This major water outlet leading to the sea is clogged up resulting in a slow flow of water. To make matters worse, a supermarket located there has illegally built a long stretch of concrete drain covers over the section of drain in front of their establishment.

These drain covers are semi-permanent structures and too difficult to remove. This will hinder clearing and maintenance work. The Public Works Department has given notice to the supermarket management but is still waiting for them to respond,” added Taren Sunil.

Of late, HPUC as well as the Public Works Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department and other local authorities have been making regular rounds to jointly inspect and see for themselves the various problems and issues faced by people in different areas all over Sandakan.

“HPUC is very appreciative of the cooperation extended to us by all the local authorities. These joint efforts will help us to be more effective in solving the woes faced by our residents,” he said.