PENAMPANG – The Wira and Wanita wings of Parti Warisan Penampang Division has called on the State Government and the Penampang Municipal Council (MPP) to ensure that regular landscaping maintenance is carried out at Bandar Baru Penampang, one of the district's primary commercial areas.
They also highlighted the need to replace broken and missing slabs at the area to ensure safety to visitors.
According to Wira Warisan Penampang's Eric Ryan Jingulam, broken slabs must be replaced immediately to prevent drainage blockages that could lead to flash floods.
"During our inspection last Wednesday (17 June), we found out that many concrete drain covers are either missing or damaged. Some shop owners have resorted to replacing these missing slabs by using steel sheets but some are now rusty.
These missing and broken slabs pose safety hazards to the public and must be replaced more so when Bandar Baru Penampang is one of the busiest areas in the district.
Imagine a young child running carelessly and fall into the drain because of the missing slab, such accident would have been avoided if preventive action has been taken.
This is reflect a wider concern among residents and business owners that basic municipal maintenance in Penampang is deteriorating despite continued collection of assessment rates and public funds allocated for local services" he said in a statement today.
"Several shop owners also informed our division leaders the need to install solar streetlights at the back alley to provide illumination and prevent criminal activities and public nuisance such as urinating at building walls," he added.
Apart from Wanita Warisan, Eric was also accompanied by Division Chief Jeffrey Leiking, Strategic Communications Director Christopher Masudal, Wira's Melvin Lo and PDM Nosoob members Clarence Chong, John Jouting, Jolly Majalap and Sam Pang.
Meanwhile, Wanita Warisan Penampang's Agnes Kinsil called on MPP to ensure regular landscaping maintenance are being carried out at Bandar Baru Penampang and monsoon drains are cleaned.
"The uncut grass on the road verge that fills the drain in front of One Stop Superstore reflects poorly on the image of Penampang and raises questions about maintenance scheduling.
On top of that, the monsoon drain in front of the light industrial centre and next to KGK Annex is also covered with grass and aquatic vegetations thereby becoming breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests.
While heavy rainfall contributes to flooding, blocked drains and overgrown waterways may also be worsening the situation and should be addressed proactively," she said.
Some shop owners at the light industrial centre also hope that the State Government and MPP will reseal their road soonest possible and install solar street lights she added.
"We also noticed via our previous visitation to some other commercial areas in Penampang that landscaping maintenance is not being done regularly. The relevant agencies, whether MPP, JKR or the appointed concessionaire, should clarify responsibility and ensure regular maintenance especially grasscutting and drain cleaning.
Residents and business operators contribute significantly to the local economy and pay assessment rates to local authorities. They therefore have a reasonable expectation that basic services such as drainage maintenance, landscaping, road upkeep and public lighting are delivered efficiently and consistently," she concluded.
They also highlighted the need to replace broken and missing slabs at the area to ensure safety to visitors.
According to Wira Warisan Penampang's Eric Ryan Jingulam, broken slabs must be replaced immediately to prevent drainage blockages that could lead to flash floods.
"During our inspection last Wednesday (17 June), we found out that many concrete drain covers are either missing or damaged. Some shop owners have resorted to replacing these missing slabs by using steel sheets but some are now rusty.
These missing and broken slabs pose safety hazards to the public and must be replaced more so when Bandar Baru Penampang is one of the busiest areas in the district.
Imagine a young child running carelessly and fall into the drain because of the missing slab, such accident would have been avoided if preventive action has been taken.
This is reflect a wider concern among residents and business owners that basic municipal maintenance in Penampang is deteriorating despite continued collection of assessment rates and public funds allocated for local services" he said in a statement today.
"Several shop owners also informed our division leaders the need to install solar streetlights at the back alley to provide illumination and prevent criminal activities and public nuisance such as urinating at building walls," he added.
Apart from Wanita Warisan, Eric was also accompanied by Division Chief Jeffrey Leiking, Strategic Communications Director Christopher Masudal, Wira's Melvin Lo and PDM Nosoob members Clarence Chong, John Jouting, Jolly Majalap and Sam Pang.
Meanwhile, Wanita Warisan Penampang's Agnes Kinsil called on MPP to ensure regular landscaping maintenance are being carried out at Bandar Baru Penampang and monsoon drains are cleaned.
"The uncut grass on the road verge that fills the drain in front of One Stop Superstore reflects poorly on the image of Penampang and raises questions about maintenance scheduling.
On top of that, the monsoon drain in front of the light industrial centre and next to KGK Annex is also covered with grass and aquatic vegetations thereby becoming breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests.
While heavy rainfall contributes to flooding, blocked drains and overgrown waterways may also be worsening the situation and should be addressed proactively," she said.
Some shop owners at the light industrial centre also hope that the State Government and MPP will reseal their road soonest possible and install solar street lights she added.
"We also noticed via our previous visitation to some other commercial areas in Penampang that landscaping maintenance is not being done regularly. The relevant agencies, whether MPP, JKR or the appointed concessionaire, should clarify responsibility and ensure regular maintenance especially grasscutting and drain cleaning.
Residents and business operators contribute significantly to the local economy and pay assessment rates to local authorities. They therefore have a reasonable expectation that basic services such as drainage maintenance, landscaping, road upkeep and public lighting are delivered efficiently and consistently," she concluded.
