Teamwork between councillors, staff ensures uninterrupted services — SRDC chief

SIBU: Good teamwork between staff and councillors of Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) has ensured that municipal services to the residents are uninterrupted amidst the challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic, says its chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai.

He, however, did not deny that many of their community-based programmes had to be either cancelled or postponed due to the movement control order (MCO) to break the chain of Covid-19 infection.

“Besides having to deal with the pandemic, the council is still facing the daily issues of the municipal services like drains, roads, scavenging services and other maintenance works.

“I must say the good cooperation between councillors and staff has played vital role in our success story this year. The municipal services were not interrupted amidst the challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic.

“I must also give credit to other government and private agencies which assisted us throughout the year. The good cooperation and understanding between all parties has helped SRDC’s efforts and lessened the burden. This good teamwork must be strengthened by all to ensure that SRDC will continue to give its best in terms of service delivery next year, Sempurai said when contacted yesterday.

He said this year they had planned for community development programmes and the usual Pesta Selangau, Di Ambang Merdeka SibuJaya and Pesta Pasir Rakyat Durin, to strengthen social cohesiveness and racial harmony.

“SRDC also planned numerous health awareness programmes, especially for dengue and rabies.

“We also either postponed or cancelled all of our community programmes and fiesta to abide by the MCO. Also, SRDC became the frontliners, especially our public health section personnel.”

He added that the pandemic had also forced them to close most of their major sections and departments.

“But that didn’t mean they were not working. They worked from home. They also sacrificed themselves to become the frontliners and assisted other agencies and medical staff to control the pandemic.”

Sempurai added they, together with other agencies, would continue to monitor and ensure the SOP was complied with.