BINTULU: Around RM30 millions rate collection was needed per year by Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) to cover repair and maintenance costs of public amenities in Bintulu Division.
“The costs have increased to RM34 million and we are very fortunate to be given assistance by the federal government under the maintenance fund. Another RM4 million was jointly sponsored by the federal government and BDA as a development authority,” said its general manager Datu Mohidin Ishak.
He said, for example the total road being maintained by BDA stretched over 340 km, much longer than from here to Miri, which was only about 200 km.
This included roads in Bintulu, Sebauh sub-district and Tatau which were under BDA’s responsibility but not including roads under federal government or Public Works Department.
Due to the increased of maintenance costs, the public, he said, should also do their parts as responsible citizens, by paying their rates on time.
“It is important for the people to pay the rates. Without sufficient fund, BDA couldn’t do anything like maintenance or repairs. The public needs something, and BDA on the other hand, need a budget to carry out projects or maintenance works.
“Let’s work together and help us get the budget,” said Mohidin.
The sufficient budget would give BDA the ability to provide good quality services to the people of Bintulu and most importantly, not disturbing BDA’s development plans, he said.
He also disclosed that BDA through its MWS Division (technical maintenance arm of environment service) would carry out some improvement and maintenance works of a drainage system at the shop houses at the central business district.
“We are very fortunate because our Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing managed to get a budget of RM500,000 from the federal government to improve the drainage at the shop houses.
“We would like to thank him for his effort in getting the extra budget for BDA and Bintulu. This project will be completed within two months, and would start anytime this month or in December,” he said.
He said this at the press conference at Perbinda Office yesterday. Also present were BDA (Environment Division) senior manager Wan Ibrahim Wan Ali and its Rating and Valuation Section manager Ling Kho Ping.