KUCHING: The Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) has given existing scavenging contractors an additional three months from today to rectify internal issues after being repetitively instructed and warned to strictly adhere to contractual obligations and weekly waste collection schedules.
According to its chairman Datuk Peter Minos, the main issue is that MPKS is dealing with a group of scavenging contractors who are also experiencing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted workers and scheduled collections, and even after the pandemic, there are still significant difficulties in obtaining workers and drivers, primarily from Indonesia.
Minos pointed out that rains have now affected the waste collection schedules, in addition to the delays brought on by the abrupt relocation of the dumping ground from the overcrowded Kampung Plaie landfill in Kota Samarahan to the far-off Mambong landfill in Kota Padawan, apart from the manpower shortages.
“Public interests and services come first, and MPKS does not want to hear any justifications from its contractors.
“There will be no more excuses, and the current scavenging contractors have three months from now to straighten things out internally. If they don’t, MPKS will be forced to take another look at the situation.
“The rate paying public cannot be treated inhumanely by MPKS. MPKS cannot also permit stubborn contractors to cause inconvenience to the public and bring shame on MPKS,” he asserted.
Minos also reaffirmed that the continuing Jalan Kuching-Samarahan Expressway project, which is anticipated to be completed in November 2023, was being diligently worked on by the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak and its new rescue contractors.
“However, there are unavoidable new issues, including certain traffic delays and consequently some public inconveniences, in the endeavour to alleviate the everyday major traffic jam problems at the roundabouts.
“As they informed MPKS, JKR and its contractors are taking every precaution to lessen traffic congestion, including cooperating with traffic police when necessary and working at night when the roads are least used. The Council is aware of this and appreciates what JKR and its contractors are doing.
“MPKS is hoping that people will be understanding and patient. Please be kind and understanding as JKR and its subcontractors endeavour to finish the job by November at the latest, the sooner, the better,” he said.
