SANDAKAN: A nine-week project to repair and replace drainage pipes at the Sandakan Central Market is underway to resolve long-standing blockage issues that have plagued traders and shoppers.
City councillors Tang Szu Ching and Robert Chong Thien Ming visited the site Wednesday to monitor the progress of the works, which began on Sept 2 and are expected to be completed by Oct 30.
Tang, who is also the coordination officer at Sandakan MP Vivian Wong’s service centre, said the project requires certain groups of stall operators to close in stages to make way for the works.
“We are closely following up to ensure the contractor speeds up the work and avoids unnecessary delays,” she said, adding that the council hopes the replacement of all drainage pipes will provide a permanent solution to the recurring problem.
The contractor has assured them that the project is progressing smoothly and that affected traders will be able to resume their businesses as soon as possible.
During the inspection, Tang and Chong found the removed pipes clogged with hardened oil and food residue.
Tang reminded traders to avoid disposing of oil and food waste into the drains to prevent future blockages and encouraged them to participate in the local authority’s used cooking oil buyback programme.
The Sandakan Municipal Council has divided the project into three phases to minimise disruption:Sept 2 – 25: Ground floor stalls including cake and pastry stalls (Nos. 9–30), salted fish stalls (Nos. 1–16), newspaper stands, flower stalls, exhibition shop, fruit stalls, wet goods stalls, and grocery stall No. 2; first-floor halal and vegetarian food stalls, cosmetics stalls, used cloth stalls (Nos. 28–44), salons, and groceries; and all non-halal food stalls on the second floor.
Sept 19 – Oct 16: Ground floor stalls including vegetable and farm produce stalls, salted fish stalls (Nos. 17–35), cake stalls (Nos. 1–8), vegetable and fruit stalls, beef stalls, coconut stalls, and chicken stalls (Nos. 1–41); first-floor fabric, grocery, decoration, used cloth, and toy stalls; and vegetable and halal food stalls on the second floor.
Oct 17 – 30: Ground floor chicken stalls (Nos. 42–60) and fish stalls, as well as the prayer room on the first floor.
The council had postponed the project start date from Aug 28 to Sept 2 to reduce its impact on traders and implement the phased closure plan.