PLANTING OF SHRUBS AND FLOWERING ALONG ROADS AND ROUNDABOUTS

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs if he will consider the planting of more shrubs and flowering plants along roads and at roundabouts to enhance their beauty and the beauty of the City as a whole.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs (Mr Chan Chee Seng) (for the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, I should like to assure the hon. Member that consideration is being given to the planting of shrubs and flowering plants along our roads and at roundabouts to enhance the appearance of the city. Thus, for example, last year flower boxes were placed on the road dividers along Collyer Quay, flowering shrubs were planted in the open space in front of Clifford Pier, and the overhead pedestrian bridge was decorated with flowering shrubs and plants. Recently the roundabout at Empress Place has been replanted with flowers, flowering shrubs and plants.

I should like to take this opportunity to mention a special tree planting scheme which is being organised by the Ministry of National Development which will include, among other things, the planting of flowers, shrubs, such as bougainvillaea, on traffic islands, road dividers and other roundabout open spaces all over the island. The scheme will begin with the Airport Road as the first phase.