Azlan Othman
Towards solid waste management that is more resilient and effective, as well as requiring a much smaller land area, the Ministry of Development (MoD) plans to construct a waste-to-energy incinerator plant to process 800 to 1,000 metric tonnes of garbage per day to generate electricity.
Minister of Development Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Muhammad Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid said this to elaborate his ministry’s budget at the 19th Legislative Council session yesterday.
“Issues such as odour and leachate problems usually associated with landfilling can be avoided,” he said.
“With the incorporation of the latest solid waste management technology, pollution issues such as gas emissions from the incinerator can be dealt with as best as possible. This method also guarantees more efficient waste management in the next 20 years.”
To ensure cleanliness, the management of operations and maintenance at waste disposal sites has also been given prime attention, especially the waste transfer stations in Sungai Akar and Sungai Paku landfills.
The Sungai Paku landfills, which cover an area of 104 hectares and receives 90 per cent of the waste produced in the country, are expected to reach its capacity limit in 2030.
The minister said to ensure the cleanliness of Brunei River, through the approval of the allocation in the financial year 2023-2024, the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe) will implement a more efficient and effective cleaning of the river by using the latest methods and technologies such as skimmer boats, barge and garbage barriers or ‘booms’.
The management and maintenance of parks under JASTRe has also been given attention in this year’s allocation, including the Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas, which was handed over the management of landscaping to JASTRe in November 2022.
JASTRe’s role is to take over the maintenance of the park’s landscape, while Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas remains under the jurisdiction and ownership of the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Department, added the minister.
