BY BAVANI M
Aiming for a greener city: Ahmad Phesal has initiated several green projects to help turn KL into a green city. The bulk of it involves planting more trees and carrying out green projects such as the green linkage system that involves connecting rivers, lakes, parks, gardens, public walkways, shopping centres, office buildings to others with greenery.
KUALA Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib has pledged a more accountable and transparent administration, with a focus on effective and efficient services.
DBKL has allocated RM2.79bil for its budget this year, which is an increase of 20% compared to 2013’s budget of RM2.31bil.
He added that RM1.499bil had been set aside for management costs while RM1.29bil is for development costs.
The mayor stressed that a cost-effective and systematic approach would be practised throughout the planning and implementation of these projects.
Themed “Sustainable City, Prosperous Residents”, Ahmad Phesal said the budget was to finance five strategic areas, namely connecting the city via pedestrian walkways and providing better road system, enhancing economic prosperity, turning Kuala Lumpur into an eco-city and improving good governance.
NKRA, NKEA, Greater KL and 10th Malaysia Plan
The construction of pedestrian walkways, pedestrian bridges, park-and-ride facilities and bus stops are among the development projects allocated under the National Key Result Area (NKRA).
Amounting to RM18.5 mil, it is aimed at easing traffic congestion and increasing use of public transport in the city.
Another RM259.66mil is slotted for the NKEA-Greater KL/KV currently under way for the River of Life, Greener KL Pedestrian Network project, while another RM196.84mil is for projects under the 10th Malaysia Plan.
A large portion of the allocation, RM808.27mil or 63%, is borne by City Hall, while the balance of RM482.55mil or 37% is funded by the Federal Government and private agencies.
Urban cleanliness projects
As 2014 is Visit Malaysia Year, Ahmad Phesal said focus would be given to ensure that the city was kept clean and that cleanliness of public spaces would be maintained at all times.
Three areas, Bukit Bintang, Petaling Street and Chow Kit, which are likely to attract tourists, will be given emphasis.
Jalan Genting Kelang, one of the major roads in the city, will be upgraded.
A whopping RM227.15mil has been allocated for various programmes, including RM164mil for washing pedestrian walkways, drains and for rubbish collection carried out by the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (PPSPPA).
“DBKL will monitor the frequency and service level of the work through a KPI system,” said Ahmad Phesal.
Meanwhile, RM63mil is for the transferring of rubbish to the Taman Beringin waste transfer station and Bukit Tagar Sanitary landfill.
The mayor added that the city produced about 2,500 to 2,600 tonnes of waste per day, which averages to about 949,000 tonnes per year.
Infrastructure, road works, irrigation and drainage
Major roads in the city will be upgraded and widened using an allocation of RM268.6mil.
The mayor said 34 projects had been identified, whereby 27 will be undertaken by DBKL, with a cost estimate of RM199.1mil, and seven under the 10th Malaysia plan, with an allocation of RM69.5mil.
The projects include upgrading Jalan Genting Kelang, Jalan Segambut, building a multi-level intersection in Jalan Ampang and Jalan Jelatek, as well as strengthening hill slopes to prevent landslips and construction of the Sungai Gombak bridge.
The mayor said a taskforce had been set up to monitor quality control and curb wastage.
“This is to ensure that the required specifications are followed and to prevent shoddy work,” he said, adding that Ikram would also be roped in to keep an eye on projects.
The Jalan Raja Bot market in Chow Kit is one of the areas that will undergo a massive spruce-up. — Photo by SHAHRUL FAZRY ISMAIL
Affordable homes
Under the 1Malaysia Housing Programme, DBKL will build more affordable houses for deserving city residents.
A total of RM115mil will be disbursed for the construction of affordable houses in Kampung Wirajaya Setapak, Kampung Pandan Indian Settlement, with DBKL buying 200 low-cost units from a private developer to be sold to eligible residents via a self-financing scheme.
For the replacement and maintenance of lifts in all its people’s housing schemes in the city, RM139.69mil has been allocated from both the management and development funds.
Greening the city
To be sustainable, a city needs to balance it buildings with green space. Hence, RM60.34mil from the management fund will go towards the maintenance and upkeep of public parks.
Another RM34.3mil will be channelled for the beautification and upkeep of Taman Botani Perdana, Taman Tasik Titiwangsa and Taman Tasik Permaisuri and 13 other public parks, open spaces and playgrounds.
Under funds for development, RM122.33mil will be used for landscaping, tree-planting and upgrading of park facilities for the public and the disabled.
Sports, culture and health
Appreciating the need for city folk to enjoy a healthy and stress-free lifestyle, DBKL has allocated RM37.16mil to carry out community-based events that encourage the participation of residents.
Events involving seniors citizens, youths, single mothers and low-income earners are also being planned.
Emphasis is also given for Local Agenda 21 and Federal Territory Day events.
Another RM16.5mil is allocated for cultural events such as musicals and dances to boost tourism. RM2.21mil will go towards sporting and recreational activities.
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