MIRI: The Miri City Council (MCC) has slammed the practices of some contractors, as well as certain homeowners, who indiscriminately dump bulky waste and expect the council to clean up after them.
CLEAR THIS UP: Lai points out some of the construction waste dumped near the Pelita Commercial Centre as others look on.
Miri Mayor Lawrence Lai aired his displeasure with such irresponsible parties when he inspected construction wastes dumped by the road side and back lanes of shop lots at the Pelita Commercial Centre.
“Don’t expect the council to clear and clean up after them. They should be responsible by clearing up the waste after they completed the work,” he said.
Lai said some construction and other bulky wastes had been dumped by contractors and building owners doing renovations for quite some time.
“They have money to do the renovation and yet they are not willing to spend extra money to clear up their waste. They can hire private scavengers to do it for them,” he said.
Among the bulky wastes seen were cement, planks and damaged electrical goods.
“This is not fair to others as the council is using the money collected from the public through rate payments. We could use the money for other things,” said Lai.
He said notices would be issued after the council has completed investigations on those responsible for the illegal dumping and they would be required to clear the waste.
“If we are doing the clearing and cleaning for them, the council will charge them (building owners). They might also be issued with compounds,” he warned.
Lai also noted that some homeowners in housing estates also dumped their bulky household and garden waste by the roadside after completing renovations on their houses or doing major cleaning.
Meanwhile, Lai also inspected the playground at the Merbau Estate adjacent to the commercial centre.
Planting done illegally on some parts of the playground were cleared and landscaping as well as beautification work will be carried out.