Council to open up temporary parking lots to mitigate shortage

LIMBANG: Limbang District Council ( LDC) will open up 221 temporary parking lots in town as a way to address the current acute shortage of this facility due to the ongoing implementation of several mega projects here.

According to Limbang Walikota Sufian Mohat, one of the areas identified to be converted into temporary parking areas is the open compound at the old bus station here, which is estimated to be able to accommodate between 80 and 200 parking lots.

In addition, Sufian points out that the council would implement the RM3 million Limbang Public Square project at LDC Field, developed under Northern Region Development Agency ( NRDA), which would cover over 100 parking lots, as well as provide 21 parking lots in front of the Dataran Jubli Emas.

“LDC is negotiating with the landowners (with stake) in the old bus station area, on the construction of around 100 parking lots there,” he told reporters yesterday during a press conference on LDC’s projects, where the council’s enforcement division chief Mohamad Keprawi Johan and Limbang police traffic division chief’s representative Sgt Bodi Hardon were also present.

Sufian also said several other initiatives would be implemented, as agreed during the LDC annual general meeting recently.

These initiatives include seeking cooperation with Limbang Islamic Welfare Trust Board ( Lakil) on opening up its premises’ carpark gate to facilitate smooth flow of traffic, requesting the management of Limbang Plaza to allow the public to park their vehicles in its multistorey parking facility, as well as raising public awareness of carpooling.

“In addition, we have proposed to relocate the traders at the Thursday and Friday market to an area at the old Bank Simpanan Nasional ( BSN) building.

“As for (the provision of venue for) Limbang’s main programmes and festivals, which would normally take place at Lot 777, we propose for these events to be held at the old airport area, as a way to address the shortage of parking areas,” he said.

However for Ramadan Bazaar this year, Sufian said it would continue to be run at Lot 777.

It is learnt that this town has a total of 1,860 parking lots, but due to Phase I of upgrading works on the RM30-million Limbang Waterfront project, 143 parking lots have been affected.

The waterfront project is expected to reach completion by July next year.

“Development projects worth RM15 million need to be implemented over the next two years. Apart from Limbang Waterfront, the other projects include the overhead bridge, and Limbang Public Park.

“Additionally, the Limbang Tamu building will undergo upgrading works at a cost of RM1.3 million; works on the Limbang Chinese Market, too, are expected to commence soon,” he said.

Back on parking, Suffan called upon all townsfolk, including the shop- owners, to not park their vehicles indiscriminately or obstruct public parking spaces by putting signs as if ‘ to reserve’ the spot.

“Stern action will be taken against offenders,” warned the Walikota.

Sufian also took the opportunity to thank Limbang police, who had been discharging their duties effectively.