MAKING UP OF JANSEN ROAD, FLORENCE CLOSE, ETC. (Letting out on contract)

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for National Development, in respect of Jansen Road, Florence Close and many other roads the making up of which under section 19 of the Local Government Integration Ordinance had been approved several months ago by the Urban and Rural Services Consultative Committee but on which there is yet no sign of work being started by the P.W.D., whether he would consider letting out such work on contract in order to expedite it.

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, after approval by the Urban and Rural Services Committee, the procedure laid down in section 19 of the Local Government Integration Ordinance has to be followed. This requires the preparation of plans and estimates and the apportionment of expenses after which frontagers have to be served with notices and given an opportunity to object to the proposed road making. If no valid objections are received, the proposals for making up of the roads are then confirmed, after which work commences. It takes several months to comply with this procedure.

In regard to the several roads referred to by the hon. Member, notices have been served in September 1964, and the dates for the hearing of objection in respect of Florence Road and Florence Close have been fixed for 20th of October, 1964. If there are no valid objections, work on the making up of these roads will commence towards the end of the year. Construction of all private streets is let out on contract.