The Fire and Rescue Department staff quarters building in Sembulan looks nice from a distance but it has been declared unsafe and vacated.
KOTA KINABALU: The building which houses Fire and Rescue Department staff quarters in Sembulan is rundown and has been declared unsafe, and should be reconstructed soon.
Putatan Member of Parliament Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh, who visited the department and inspected the 42-year-old building yesterday, said he would bring up the matter in the next budget sitting that is expected to be announced by Prime Minister Datuk Sri Najib Tun Razak next month.
“I also hope the Housing and Local Government Minister will take into consideration the need to prioritise the reconstruction of these quarters,” he said.
Mojigoh inspecting a crack in the staircase at staff quarters in Sembulan.
He hoped the budget allocated for the Housing and Local Government Ministry could be increased to rebuild the staff quarters in Sembulan.
Mojigoh was earlier briefed by Sembulan fire station chief Ariffin Harris on the condition of the building that accommodate the personnel and the need to construct a new building.
It is learnt that many personnel based at Sembulan fire station are currently staying at the department’s staff quarters in Sepanggar.
According to Ariffin, the 32-unit staff quarters at Sembulan was built in 1970 and was opened for use in 1971.
All occupants have been instructed to vacate the building about eight months ago after it was declared unsafe with cracks and other signs of serious damage.
Ariffin (right) briefing Mojigoh on the condition of the old staff quarters.