CLEANLINESS IN HDB ESTATES (Effects of manpower shortage)

The following Question stood in the name of Mr Chew Heng Ching ---

Mr Chew Heng Ching: To ask the Minister for National Development if the standard of cleanliness in Housing and Development Board estates has suffered as a result of cleaning contractors facing manpower shortage; and, if so, what measures the HDB will take to overcome the problem.

Encik Zulkifli bin Mohammed (Eunos GRC): Question No. 2, Sir.

Dr Lee Boon Yang (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, there are presently 32 conservancy con- tractors holding contracts for the cleaning of HDB housing estates. 18 of these contractors commenced their contract on 1 April 1989. In the first two weeks of April some contractors were short of manpower and equipment. This resulted in a temporary drop in standard of cleanliness in some HDB housing estates. To correct the situation, HDB mobilized its own workers and other conservancy contractors to spruce up the affected estates. HDB also increased daily site supervision to identify problem areas and to take immediate corrective action. As a result, Sir, the standard of cleanliness in HDB estates is now back to normal. HDB, however, will continue to monitor the performance of the contractors closely and will not hesitate to impose penalties against those who do not carry out their contracts properly.

Besides these measures, I would also like to call on residents in the public housing estates to cooperate with HDB's efforts to maintain a clean environment. Residents should not litter the common areas. Bulky refuse should not be abandoned along common corridors or at lift landings. If necessary, residents should seek HDB's assistance in disposing of such bulky refuse.

With more residents' cooperation, the task of keeping the housing estates clean would be achievable at a lower cost to everybody.