TWO projects costing around RM100,000 by the state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) have been initiated in order to tackle littering issue in Sungai Rambai, Bukit Mertajam.
Seberang Perai Cental DID civil engineer Mohd Nasyarul Ahmad Rizan said the two projects would serve as a rubbish trap to curb the issue.
“The first project, which is to instal a 30-meter log boom, has been completed early this month while the second project, which is to instal a ‘rubbish pocket’, is expected to be completed in early January next year.
“Both projects have started since early November and we hope when the second project is completed, it can trap rubbish such as food waste, leaves, plastic and polystyrene containers.
“Thus, we can prevent all of these rubbish from entering the ocean from the river,” Mohd Nasyarul told reporters when visiting the place with Padang Lalang assemblyman Chong Eng at Sungai Rambai in Bukit Mertajam today.
According to Mohd Nasyarul, both the log boom and a rubbish pocket have the capacity to trap 80-120kg of rubbish which will be collected (by DID) regularly to be sent to landfills or recycling centres.
Meanwhile, Chong Eng, who is also the state Women and Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness & Religions Other than Islam Committee chairman, said the residents need to change their mindset first in order to ensure the cleanliness of the river.
“We cannot make any difference if people do not change their mindset and how they see the river.
“Thus, the change of mindset is important. They should know how to manage their general waste such as bring it to the recycling centres and not just throw it into the river because of contamination that will cause other negative implications as well.
“If we do not want to save our river, then who else will do it for us?” she said.
Story and pix by Riadz Akmal