KUCHING: The Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) is not without its problems and challenges, one of which is the daily traffic congestion at the Kota Samarahan roundabout, said Datuk Peter Minos.
The MPKS chairman said the council was at the receiving end daily, having to put up with the grievances of residents and road users regarding traffic issues, but he admitted that the council understands their frustration and anger.
“Thankfully, the Public Work Department (PWD) roped in a really good and serious rescue contractor and the traffic jam problem will hopefully be over soon.
“With the traffic lights at Tabuan Tranquillity and Stutong roundabouts operating, and by April 15 the traffic lights at Intan also operating, things are getting much better. A number of people are thankful. We feel vindicated. Even happy,” he said in a statement today.
Minos said the five roundabouts at the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway will be fitted with traffic lights before November or earlier and it will be a cause for jubilation.
“Another challenge faced by MPKS is waste collection. When the council landfill was abruptly closed by the authorities on Jan 1 this year, all the waste collection systems and schedules went haywire.
“This is because the waste generated by Samarahan had to be brought to Mambong which is about 60 km away. This is arduous and hard on to the scavenging trucks and drivers.
“Also, the scavenging contractor is totally unprepared and unable to cope and follow the collection schedules. But MPKS will solve this problem … No two way about it,” he said.
Minos said MPKS will hold a community talk and seminar to curb illegal dumping and tackle the people’s bad habit of throwing rubbish on the road, roadsides, drains, streams and open spaces.
On the flash floods issue, he urged the Department of Drainage and Irrigation (DID) to find a solution to the “never-ending flash flood problems in MPKS areas.
“All other challenges and problems are manageable and can be solved, given the time and patience. After seven years at MPKS, I must say the job is very challenging and at times trying but after a while it became alright and tolerable,” he said.
On the new councillors, Minos advised them to work together with the veteran councillors and management in making Samarahan clean, safe and green as well as liveable, progressive and respectable.
