By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 30: A proper upgrade worth RM400,000 including the installation of new and additional fans will be done at the 7th Mile market instead of just putting “koyok (plaster) on minor wounds”.
Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap stressed this in responding to Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) Michael Kong who had yesterday (Nov 29) told the former to be proactive to help and push Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) for the installation of electric fans at the market instead of getting defensive when the issue was raised.
“There is no such thing as being defensive. At times when I do not reply to certain comments made on social media or through the press, it is because I am too busy trying to get the work done. I am aware of the problem.
“I’m trying to solve all the problems holistically and systematically. That means it is not like putting ‘koyok’ (plaster) on small wounds here and there but getting things done properly and solved in Kota Sentosa. I hope the public can give us a little leeway to secure the necessary funding which is not easy to get,” he said at a press conference at the Media Room of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex here today.
Hitting back, Yap told Kong to criticise less but do the work including securing the funding to solve the problem rather than picking on people and issues without bringing real solutions.
Assuring the hawkers and traders of 7th Mile market that RM400,000 has been approved under his Rural Transformation Project (RTP) funding for the upgrading works, Yap explained that the bill of quantities (BQ) is currently being finalised.
“In the preliminary list, the works to be done include demolition and site clearing, repairing all the awnings, tiling works because many tiles are broken and dangerous for visitors, and repainting the whole market.
“Apart from that, we will also replace all the rusty drain covers, install wiring points and sockets, and the supply and installation of eight units of three-blades 26 inch wall industrial fans.
“As there are already existing fans, we are going to put additional fans to serve the hawkers and visitors better,” he said.
In addition, Yap revealed that four units of electric pest killers will also be installed to improve the environment at the market that also sells food.
On when the works are expected to start, Yap emphasised that the draft BQ will have to go through the proper procedures before it lands at the implementing agency, which is MPP, which will come up with the drawings and specifications.
“I will have to go through the BQ with the implementing agency to make sure everything is proper. Once approved, it will go to the Resident Office and followed by a tender process. So this is what we call accountability and transparency, isn’t it?
“This is the Sarawak and GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) way of doing things. We follow the rules, we follow procedures. We are transparent with all the things we do,” he said. — DayakDaily
