MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Infectious Diseases

No case of smallpox, yellow fever or plague has been reported for nearly two decades. Diseases like cholera, typhoid, malaria and dengue haemorrhagic fever have been brought under control and the incidence of these diseases has been reduced. However, sporadic outbreaks will continue to occur because our strategic location exposes us to the constant risk of introduction of some of these diseases. Strict surveillance and control of vectors and health education of the public must continue. Though modern sanitation and potable water are available to most householders, minor outbreaks of typhoid will occur through contamination of food. The Ministry plans to screen and inoculate all food handlers to further reduce the incidence of typhoid. Some 49, 000 food handlers have so far been inoculated and 3, 300 screened. A record of typhoid carriers will be maintained. Ultimate success in typhoid control will depend on the full cooperation of the public and food handlers in maintaining a high standard of personal and food hygiene.

Air Pollution

Air pollution is on the increase. The presence of photochemical oxidant (smog) has been detected on certain hot and calm days in some parts of the Island. As emissions from industries, power stations and vehicles continue to increase, antipollution measures will have to be enforced more stringently. The sulphur content of fuel oil will have to be reduced to abate sulphur dioxide emissions from industries and power stations.

Some industries have been reluctant to comply fully with anti-pollution measures But the long-term health effects of air pollution in our densely populated Island demand that noxious emissions be controlled without affecting the viability of some industries If air pollution is not checked early, its effects may be irreversible or the remedial measures will be too costly in the future. Hawkers

Proliferation of unlicensed hawkers has been brought under control. The licensed hawkers in Singapore numbering 28,750 are sufficient at present to cater for our population. No new hawker licences will be issued because there is a need to divert manpower to the more productive sectors of the economy. However, an adequate number of stalls in markets and food centres will be available for allocation to those suffering genuine hardship and unable to seek other employment.

Of the 28,750 licensed hawkers, 17,000 are already within premises. There are still 11,750 hawkers who need to be resited from the streets. Yet many vacant stalls exist in various markets and food centres. Many street hawkers are reluctant to move into premises and prefer to remain in backlanes and other temporary sites which do not have basic amenities. Henceforth, street hawkers will be required to accept stalls offered to them or cease to do business.

The existing nominal hawker fees will be revised upwards in stages in view of the escalation in the cost of building and maintenance of markets and food centres.

Sewerage

The provision of safe drinking water and modern sanitation services in public housing has helped to improve public health and the quality of life. In 1976 75% of the population was served with modern sanitation compared with 52% in 1966. By the end of 1981 this percentage will increase to 85.

In the past five years $186 million have been spent on the main sewerage system and treatment works. Over the next five years a sum of $550 million will be spent on further expansion.

E.W. BARKER Minister for the Environment