NGO responds faster than govt — LDP
KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Central Youth Leader Sim Fui yesterday expressed regret that nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and private initiatives responded quicker than the government to alleviate the stench and pollution from a sewerage plant in Likas.
Although the government assigned a contractor to repair the leaking sewage pipeline, he said the relevant authority had failed to react promptly to address the untreated waste water that had flowed into the sea and caused severe pollution to Likas Bay.
Sim said a NGO, To Earth With Love (TEWL), had taken the initiative to team up with private companies in pouring effective micro-organism (EM) solutions into the drains where sewage has been leaking into.
He said this self-funded effort aimed to prevent the pollution from worsening without having to wait for the government to take action due to its red tape.
“The initiative taken by the NGO and private sector was praised by the local community.
“But at the same time, it is a slap in the face for the government.”
He said Likas assemblyman Tan Lee Fatt had vowed to resolve the issue as soon as possible but the latter had yet to sit down with the relevant authorities to discuss how to solve the sewage pollution.
Sim pointed out that treating the sewage pollution needed as much attention as repairing the leaking sewage pipeline.
He said the stench from the sewage pollution had adversely tarnished the image of Kota Kinabalu in the eyes of tourists and locals who frequented the beach.
He said the people had high expectations on the new government, but it seemed that the new administration was still bound by red tape.
Nonetheless, Sim hoped more members of the public and companies would emulate the effort taken by TEWL and its partners to prevent the pollution from worsening.