The Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) will be implementing the Penang Island Cleanliness Master Plan to take the state’s cleanliness to the next level.
The master plan includes rescheduling and increasing cleaning times in several areas from the present 7am- 6pm to 5am-10pm; identifying critical areas which need to be cleaned, implementing effective policies and strict enforcement against those who litter or dump waste indiscriminately.
MPPP Urban Services Section director Ibrahim Mohamad had pointed out more than 10 areas around Penang, including Kimberly Street, Chulia Street, Taman Tun Sardon, Lebuh Sungai Ara, Bayan Mutiara, Pulau Tikus market, Jalan Pasar and Lorong Kulit, are labelled as ‘red zones’ for being dirty.
Ibrahim also said that while there are several areas which are acceptable, or labelled ‘green’, such as the Medan Tanjung Bungah, Caring Society Complex, Jalan Mayang Pasir, Gurney Drive and Waterfall Road, there were others which are ‘alert areas.’
He also said that the MPPP would carry out operations to provide a holistic solution to tackle cleanliness issues and improve its policy delivery.
Some 500 workers will be hired to be part of the MPPP Urban Services enforcement team to improve the service delivery and manpower.
He said this at a briefing of the master plan in Komtar today. Present were Penang Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow, MPPP secretary Ang Aing Thye and MPPP councillors.
Chow said the master plan was drafted three month ago, after the state government had rejected the federal government’s offer to take over the solid waste management in Penang.
“Thus, the local councils must be responsible with solid waste management and cleanliness with no aid or allocation from the federal government,” he said, adding that the master plan will be fully implemented beginning October this year.
It will also pump in another RM4 million to buy cleaning equipment and machines as well as for additional overtime for the staff.
“The council spends some RM60 million yearly, in solid waste management and public cleansing,” he added.
“It would take about six months to clean these areas to acceptable levels.”
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