Tiong peeved approval to relocate pipe takes 2 months
BINTULU: Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing the Bintulu incumbent was taken aback when he was told it would take two months for the relevant authority to relocate a two- foot water pipe as it has to follow procedures to approve the relocation.
Upon finding out the red tape involved in approving such a simple project Tiong said the state government should simplify procedures in approval for upgrading and relocation of existing utility facilities as the policy is outdated and cannot meet the present pace of development.
“If possible we will try to discuss with our Utilities Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom if we can review and simplify these procedures,” he said when officiating at the opening of Sungai Plan Public Library, handing over of drainage improvement works phase two project and the reconstruction of concrete drain phase 1 at Sg Plan Resettlement Scheme here yesterday.
“If you already have the list of the qualified contractors, the works should have started, but now it take two months to relocate the 2- foot pipe,” he added.
Tiong noted that Sg Plan resettlement scheme is prone to fl ash floods as after every heavy downpour the area would be flooded.
“In recent years, after a series of upgrading works, I can see some improvement, the flash flood incidences were slightly reduced.”
He also called on Bintulu Development Authority ( BDA) to regularly upgrade and maintain the drainage system here.
He congratulated BDA for successfully implementing infrastructure projects here and advised the people to work closely with BDA in taking care of the facilities.
“Now some people are angry with me, they said why I am not angry with BDA anymore unlike before, I said if BDA understand the people’s problem, we don’t have to get angry as we can sit down together and discuss,” he said.
BDA general manager Rodziah Morshidi and other local community leaders were also present at the event.