KOTA KINABALU (ANN/THE STAR) – Kota Kinabalu City Hall is developing an action plan to combat the escalating issue of indiscriminate rubbish disposal, which includes trash being thrown into rivers, the sea, and other non-designated areas.
Describing the trash pollution in the city as having reached a critical level, the City Hall emphasised the need for a holistic approach to tackle this problem, requiring cooperation from the public and all relevant parties.
Additionally, the City Hall stressed the importance of enhancing awareness programmes to educate the public about the hazards of indiscriminate dumping.
As part of the plan, Kota Kinabalu City Hall intends to install “rubbish traps” in critical areas where trash accumulation is significant. The trash that ends up on the shore and near jetties and ferry terminals is primarily from nearby water villages, the City Hall noted.
The City Hall also pointed out that the change in wind directions, particularly in March, could have contributed to the increased amount of trash washing up in these areas.
During the previous month alone, City Hall officials collected over 7.5 tonnes of rubbish, including waste from locations such as the Jesselton Point ferry terminal and the city’s wet market.
“Rubbish traps will be installed in critical areas such as Kampung Numbak and the Saga squatter water village, and suitable cleaning boats will be identified to conduct cleaning operations at sea,” the City Hall stated.
The cleanup efforts are carried out by the sea and river cleaning unit under the City Hall’s Solid Waste Management Department, in collaboration with appointed concessionaires.
