25.3km pedestrian walkway, cycleway
A 25.3km pedestrian walkway and cycleway project from Tanjung Aru to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) will begin by mid-2012. Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir, who announced the RM38 million three-phase project yesterday, said it is among plans to be implemented this year to beautify the city.
The first phase of the project will be implemented at Sabah Port and Likas Bay, the second phase at Tanjung Aru, Sembulan and Central Business District (CBD), while the third phase at Tun Mustapha building and UMS.
The pedestrian walkway and cycleway project will include among other facilities bicycle shared path, bridges, decks, covered bicycle parks, children playground, lighting, benches, public toilets, showers and lockers.
Tender for the first phase is expected to be available in April this year, Abidin said during the flag-raising ceremony in conjunction with the 12th City Day celebration at Padang Merdeka here yesterday.
In addition to the pedestrian walkway and cycleway, City Hall will undertake the second and third phases of Sembulan River beautification project, starting from the end of phase one near Sembulan River bridge till Wisma Muis.
He said this year will also see the upgrading of public transportation system or city bus, as well as the building of a bus terminal at Jalan Kepayan.
In addition, City Hall has begun the cleaning of drains in and around the city to overcome flash floods during heavy rain, he said.
Abidin also pledged to expand and duplicate the 5K programme, namely Kebersihan (cleanliness), Keindahan (beauty), Keselamatan (safety), Keteraturan (orderliness) and Kesejahteraan (well-being), to other towns, as well as increasing awareness and enforcement of the anti-litter campaign.
Last year, Abidin said City Hall successfully implemented several programmes as planned, including launching the 5K Programme in Menggatal, ‘greening’ the main roads, upgrading and beautifying city landscape, implementing phase one of Sembulan River Beautification Project and setting up of lay-by stops for buses and taxis in the city.
He said City Hall would be focusing on City Hall Strategic Plan 2011-2015 this year by implementing the projects stated in the plan.
He vowed to overcome the weaknesses in City Hall’s existing service delivery system.
“I urge all City Hall staff to facilitate and not frustrate in delivering your services.
“City Hall staff should stress on efforts to promote creativity and innovation in executing daily tasks,” he said.
Meanwhile, apart from the flag-raising ceremony yesterday, a marching team competition was held and it attracted 23 contingents.
The Health and Urban Services Department took the top spot under City Hall category, while the Department of Corporate Affairs and Engineering Department were second and third respectively.
In the secondary school/higher learning institution category, SMK Perempuan Likas was first, followed by Kolej Aseana and SMK Likas cadet in the second the third places respectively.
SK Sri Gaya and SK Tanjung Aru took the first and second places under the primary school category, while Persatuan Penjaja Bumiputra Barat and Hume Concrete (M) Sdn Bhd took the first and second places under the association and private sector category.
Also present were Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Edward Khoo Keok Hai, Puspanita Kota Kinabalu branch president Datin Florence Malangkig, Mayor of Kota Kinabalu sister city Yongin, Kim Hak Kyu, president of Municipal Council of Penang Island Hajah Patahiyah bt Ismail and City Hall director-general Datuk Yeo Boon Hai.
Source: Borneo Post (by Chok Sim Yee)
