KUCHING: The hawkers operating at Kuching Waterfront will be permanently relocated to Kuching Esplanade near the Brooke Dockyard and some of the hawkers will be relocated to another area in the near future.
Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) mayor Hilmy Othman said the relocation will make way for the long overdue pavement upgrading works at the Kuching Waterfront.
“I think it is high time for us to get the upgrading works done, so for us to do that, they (hawkers) will have to make way for the upgrading works,” he told reporters after officiating at the Tanglung light-switching ceremony near Chongling Hotel, Green Road yesterday (Feb 4).
Hilmy said the pavement project, to be awarded in May, will create a new landscape and rejuvenate the whole waterfront.
The relocation area will undergo major upgrades with proper lighting and better facilities installed to provide a suitable business environment.
“I think it is fair that we upgrade that area so that it can boost business for the people who are going to be relocated,” he said.
Adding on, Hilmy the project design of the relocation area has been approved and the tender process will take one or two months.
“We are going to get the details processed, (the tender) which will be within one or two months, will be awarded in May and works are expected to be completed within six months,” he said.
Also present at the light-switching ceremony was Kejiranan Mesra Sungai Maong chairman Sih Hua Tong.
