MOSQUITO NUISANCE IN SERANGOON GARDEN ESTATE

Mr Lim Choon Mong asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing whether he is aware of the mosquito nuisance in the vicinity of the Serangoon Garden Estate, and what steps will be taken to abate such nuisance.

Inche Abdul Hamid: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been informed by the Rural Board that Serangoon Garden Estate is a private housing estate and that the responsibility for maintenance of the roadside drains and other mosquito-breeding areas lies with the developers or the purchasers of lots in the housing estate until the drains are taken over by the Rural Board.

The Board has taken over only part of the roads and drains in the estate and the Board's cleansing section has already attended to the drains in this part. Notices have been served on the developers for the proper maintenance of the drains in the remaining part of the estate. Until the roads and drains in this remaining part are also taken over, action has been taken by the Board principally in the control of malaria transmitting mosquitoes.

Mr Lim Choon Mong: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister aware that mosquito-breeding also stems from lands around the estate which are mostly swamps, and what action has been taken in that direction?

Mr M. P. D. Nair: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister aware that there is mosquito nuisance in his own Ministry and in his own room?

Inche Abdul Hamid: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am aware of the mosquito nuisance in my own Ministry and in my own room, but unfortunately the mosquitoes are not residents of Serangoon Garden Estate!

Mr Lim Choon Mong: Sir, does this not point to the inefficiency of the service?