GEORGE TOWN – The state government has been told to draw up mitigation measures following a number of fires at the Pulau Burung landfill, in addition to those taken by the operator and Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP).
State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo told the state assembly today that the operator has been instructed to layer red soil every day to ensure each layer of solid waste does not exceed 5m.
“The operator has been instructed to provide fire hydrants and an adequate stockpile of red soil,” he said in his reply to Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubuk-PKR).
“If the operator was found to have failed to comply with any conditions or procedures that have been finalised in accordance with the concession agreement, a penalty of RM2,500 (will be) imposed for each offence.”
Jagdeep said the matter will cost MBSP RM317,500 for tank and truck supplies, RM379,329 for red soil, RM379,329.30 for machinery assistance and RM27,400 for manpower from the Penang Island City Council.
The state government is also committed to pay RM1,000 compensation to each of the 115 families affected by smoke pollution as a result of the landfill fires.
The cost to extinguish a fire that occurred in January amounted to RM750,829, while the two city councils had to bear RM20.3 million fuel costs and RM3.7 million in truck repairs due to terrible road conditions at the landfill.
It also cost RM10 million for a TNB substation at the landfill.
Some 11ha of the 33ha Pulau Burung landfill was ablaze on January 12, lasting for almost three weeks until it was fully extinguished on January 30.
Several families around the area were evacuated for their safety, while 10 schools in the vicinity were ordered to close as the air quality in the area was at unhealthy levels. – The Vibes, May 30, 2022
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