DBKU plans to set up ‘Eco-Depot’
KUCHING: Kuching North City Commission ( DBKU) plans to set up an ‘Eco-Depot’ as a solution to combat illegal dumping.
Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai told reporters yesterday that many of the items left at illegal dumping sites could still be used or salvaged, or recycled.
“Secondly, there is also construction debris that gets dumped. There is a way we can process this so that it can be used to shape landfills into hills that can be turned into parks,” he said after DBKU’s January Edition Morning Assembly.
The commission already has 10 acres of land at Jalan Demak Laut near the DBKU Compost Centre and is now in the final stages of drawing up a plan, including on how the project will sustain itself, before bringing it to the state government.
“We need RM5 million to kick start the Eco-Depot, and after that, we expect the project to sustain itself.”
Modelled after a similar project in Christchurch, New Zealand, this is one of DBKU’s efforts to take care of the environment. It plans to accept recyclable items like glass, aluminium cans and even used clothing.
“We will work with agencies and NGOs which might be willing to accept items like used clothing, to be forwarded to disaster victims and such.”
When asked about DBKU’s smoke-free zone, Abang Abdul Wahap said they found that most smokers would go find a designated smoking zone rather than smoke at the table inside the coffee shop.
“This is a positive development. It allows us to bring our family to eating places without seeing cigarette butts and smokers inside the premises,” he said, adding that the commission also had the cooperation of food operators to educate their customers.
Nonetheless, DBKU is also looking forward to gazetting smoke- free zones to enable its enforcement officers to take action on offenders.
“Right now, we’re still in the process of public education.”
Also present at the assembly was DBKU director Jumaini Haili.
During the assembly earlier, Abang Abdul Wahap announced that DBKU would be holding its annual ‘ Majlis Agenda DBKU 2018’ from January 26 till 28 at the Kuching Waterfront near Square Tower.
Expected to be officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg, the event is themed ‘Digitisation Towards Smart and Friendly City’ aimed at realising the state’s aspiration to embrace digital economy.
During the assembly, DBKU honoured two of its enforcement officers for stopping two thieves trying to make off with drain covers.
DBKU also honoured a security guard at Masjid Demak, Jalan Bako, for catching a thief redhanded trying to steal from the mosque’s donation box.
It also welcomed five new staff members who clocked in for the first time yesterday.