KUCHING, April 14: Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) remains committed to resolving the problem concerning waste collection and management despite facing major challenges at all levels, including the distant location of the landfill and meeting collection schedules after its landfill was abruptly closed by authorities in January this year.
MPKS chairman Dato Peter Minos pointed out that the closure of the landfill had caused all waste collection systems and schedules to go haywire because the waste from Samarahan had to be transported to Mambong over a 60km journey.
“The journey from Sadong Jaya in Samarahan to Mambong is far. The distance is over 60km, which is arduous for the scavenging trucks and drivers.
“Also, the scavenging contractor is unprepared and unable to cope and follow collection schedules (following the sudden change).
“But MPKS will solve this problem, and we must; there are no two ways about it,” he said in a statement today following a meeting on MPKS corporate social responsibility programmes held at a hotel here.
However, Minos also emphasised that irresponsible and improper waste disposal is a growing concern for the Council that could pose serious threats to the environment and ecosystems and public health.
“Some people have very bad habits of throwing their rubbish on the roads, by the roadside, into the drains and streams and dumping them in open spaces. This is illegal, irresponsible and outrageous habits or practices,” he slammed.
As such, he said MPKS is planning to hold more community talks and seminars on responsible and proper waste disposal with the public in Kota Samarahan with the hope that, over time, it will encourage people to adopt appropriate waste disposal practices that are crucial to protect and sustain the environment.
Minos acknowledged that flooding is an annual headache for Kota Samarahan. Still, MPKS and the Department of Drainage and Irrigation (DID) Sarawak are working to find solutions to mitigate and reduce flood risks in the area.
“All other challenges and problems are manageable and can be resolved given time and patience. However, after seven years at MPKS, the job is challenging and sometimes trying.
“As such, we need to act fast and work closely together to make Samarahan a liveable and progressive clean, safe and green area,” he said. — DayakDaily
