REMOVAL OF DEBRIS IN RESETTLEMENT AREAS

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for National Development whether, in the resettlement areas, structures vacated by residents will be immediately demolished and the debris removed.

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in areas required for public development, the Resettlement Department clears and resettles the residents. The demolition of vacated structures and removal of debris are handled by the development authorities requesting for the clearance.

As and when structures are vacated by residents, the Resettlement Department liaises with the development authority concerned to demolish these structures. In most cases, vacant structures are demolished within a month.

However, there are sometimes difficulties and delays in demolition. This is because, firstly, vacated structures in congested squatter areas are scattered among other houses which are still occupied. They are inaccessible to lorries and bulldozers which therefore cannot carry out the work. Secondly, vacated structures are adjoining occupied buildings and they share common overhead cables. The demolition of such structures may endanger the lives of other residents.

Under such circumstances, the Department usually persuades the residents to accept rehousing and move out as early as possible so that the site as a whole can be tidied up. Where necessary, demolition and debris removal are carried out manually but this requires more manpower and is not the most cost effective way of doing things. The Resettlement Department will coordinate closely with the development authority to see that vacated structures are demolished within the shortest time.