I LIVE in Block 132 in Simei. Last November, residents voted for lift upgrading. Ten months later, physical work for the lift upgrading has yet to start. I enquired with the appointed contractors on the tardiness and was told that they were awarded the contract only recently and were still sorting out some paperwork.
I am aware that government departments, including town councils, assign contracts through tenders but 10 months is too long for work to start on a relatively small project.
Residents were told the lift upgrading was heavily subsidised and we were slated to contribute only 5 per cent of the cost. Each household would be required to pay about $1,300. The total cost would therefore amount to about $1.5 million.
While I have no problem in contributing my share, I would like to know how the high figure of $1.5 million was arrived at for three lift shafts for a four-storey building housing 54 apartments.
More than 80 per cent of Singaporeans reside in HDB flats and the Government is embarking on lift upgrading for all blocks where feasible.
HDB and the town councils owe residents an explanation on the speed of the work process and the costing/proportion of residents' share.
Tan Say Yin (Miss)
