Local govts urged to maintain, repair public infrastructure regularly
KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party (LPD) has urged local governments to ensure public infrastructure are regularly maintained and repaired to ensure they operate at optimal levels.
LDP Public Complaints Bureau chief Chin Vun Pheaw said public infrastructure are meant to raise the standard of living of the community or built as part of local planning, and a damaged infrastructure could have serious adverse impacts on the people.
For instance, he said the authority should carry out regular maintenance on the sewer system in both residential and commercial areas.
He pointed out that the bureau has received several complaints on the clogged sewerage behind the shops at Lintas Square which has yet to be resolved even though the relevant department has dispatched personnel to clean the sewer previously.
Chin said the shop operators have complained about the nauseating stench from the public sewerage system to Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) numerous times, and the negative impact of the foul smell on their business.
Hence, he hoped that the local government could solve the problem that is affecting the businesses and members of the public once and for all.
At the same time, he urged shop operators and the public at commercial centres to refrain from pouring grease and garbage into the drains to prevent clogging the sewer and ultimately pay the price themselves.
“As we demand the government to improve public infrastructure, we should also cooperate in creating a better commercial, residential and shopping environment.” While the local government is responsible for maintaining public infrastructure, he said the public also have a duty not to damage the infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the local government and Health Department have pledged to dispatch their personnel to the site upon receiving the complaint from Chin. The authorities also urged food and beverage (F&B) operators to install filter systems in their kitchen drainpipe to trap food waste.