THE Penang government has approved almost RM7 million allocation for the maintenance and upgrading works, including the implementation of some new projects at Desa Wawasan Flats in central Seberang Perai.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said this initiative has been beneficial for some 2,500 residents of the flats.
“Among the projects are the repainting works at Desa Wawasan Flats involving block A and block B.
“The repainting works cost more than RM1.5 million and the completion date is expected in July next year.
“The allocation also includes work on the construction of playgrounds and landscapes (RM217,000), upgrading the surau (RM86,000) and small offices (RM111,000) and the completion of the staircase replacement (RM133,000) which is now fully completed.
“Apart from that, we also have completed the roofing work on the pedestrian street costing RM117,000 on Sept 1 last month,” Jagdeep told reporters after officiating the opening ceremony to mark the start of the repainting works at Desa Wawasan Flats in central Seberang Prai today.
At the same time, Jagdeep also announced that the state government has planned to initiate the rent-to-own (RTO) schemes that will involve Block B of Desa Wawasan Flats.
“The RTO scheme will be done at block B that have 456 units.
“However, the RTO scheme will be done in phases as it will involve some repair works to be completed first.”
He said until October this year, a total amount of RM182.2 million has been allocated by the state for maintenance works of 50 public housing schemes.
Also present were Padang Lalang assemblyman Chong Eng, who is also the state executive councillor for Women & Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness & Non-Islamic Religious Affairs, and Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud.
Desa Wawasan Flats consist of two blocks of 912 units with about 2,500 residents occupying them since 1999.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad