CUTTING: View of the earthworks carried out on the Likas hill.
KOTA KINABALU: The Likas hill cutting and earthworks carried out along the Tuaran Road opposite the Likas Giant Supermarket have caused worries and fear among the people.
They have called on Kota Kinabalu member of parliament Hiew King Cheu to look into whether the earthworks on the steep hill are done with approval from the authorities, especially the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (KKCH).
Hiew had inspected the earthwork site for the construction of a high-rise condominium just between the main road and the steep hill side.
The contractors are cutting down the hill slope and putting up reinforced concrete retaining wall to protect the cut earth face.
Hiew said the worries of the people were understandable because the height and the steepness of the hill looked really scary and the people feel that this should not be carried out at all.
He immediately contacted the KKCH to find out more details of the project and was told that the approval had been granted, including its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.
The authorities assured that there is strict monitoring on the construction of the hill side retaining wall and they will ensure that all works are done according to the strict specification without hitch.
Hiew said the authorities should consider putting in extra effort to supervise the whole construction work till the end. There is always high-risk factor involved in hill cutting, especially high and steep hill side.
“The condo will sit on a narrow strip of land next to a busy main road. Therefore, the authorities have to see to it that the whole thing is done properly and professionally,” he said.
Hiew also reminded KKCH, Public Works Department and the Department of Environment to take extra precaution during the period of construction to ensure there is no pollution caused to the environment in the area, and the
road must be kept clean and there was no traffic congestion.
“Public safety is very important,” he said.