Call on Penampang Municipal Council to maintain sewage drains to prevent health risks

PENAMPANG (Jan 17): The Penampang Municipal Council has been asked to ensure that sewage drains in the town area are maintained to prevent problems of disease transmission and foul odour.

This matter was raised by the Donggongon District Voting Centre Coordinator, Theresa Chong, when she inspected the commercial centre together with members of the Penampang Division Heritage Committee.

“I have been contacted by several friends who run businesses in Bandar Penampang Baru regarding the unmaintained sewage drains, which are causing them to become clogged.

“They say when it rains in the afternoon, these drains emit a foul smell.

“These clogged drains are also a breeding ground for disease-carrying animals such as cockroaches and rats; thus, increasing the risk to public health.

“We also found that several concrete drain covers had been removed; this can cause injuries should children fall into the drains,” she said in a statement.

According to Chong, the council has stated that operating licences will not be granted to restaurant premises that fail to obtain a toilet rating of at least three stars.

“Then, the council should also help ensure that the cleanliness of the areas outside the restaurant premises is maintained.

“We believe that if the outside areas of restaurants are clean and well-maintained, operators will be encouraged to ensure that the areas inside their premises are also clean.

“There is no reasonable excuse why basic maintenance like this fails to be carried out, when the traders here always fulfil their responsibility to pay the gate tax to the council,” she added.

Accompanying Chong were Warisan strategic communications director Christopher Masudal, Penampang Warisan division head Jeffrey Leiking, and division committee members Michael Tann Jr and Koh Chik Ping.