[h=5]"As explained by WP Chairman Sylvia Lim, opposition wards have always had difficulty securing CIPC funding in the past
"In order to tap CIPC funding, we have to go through the People’s Association. Ok, we try. In 1995, Hougang Town Council applied to HDB for approval to install several car park directional signs. This would cost about $130,000. We also wrote in to the Hougang CCC for support for CIPC funding. At first, the Hougang CCC replied that it was “very keen” on the Town Council’s proposal and would be discussing it. The CCC must have agreed that it was good for residents.
A few months later, HDB informed us that the CCC had made a similar application on its own and that the Town Council should co-ordinate to make a single application. The application was then stuck. At the 1997 GE, Mr Low was re-elected into Hougang. Then in August 1997, the Hougang CCC informed us that they would not be pursuing the project. The Town Council then used its own funds to proceed with it.
There are at least 5 other cases where the Hougang CCC did not support requests to tap CIPC funding to benefit Hougang residents:
1). In 1992, the CCC refused to support construction of covered walkway from bus-stop to nearest HDB block;
2). In 1993, the CCC refused to support improvement works to 39 blocks of flats/shops which included resident corners at Blks 302, 354, 704 and 710;
3). In 1994, the CCC refused to support tables and stools fronting Blk 322 Hougang Ave 5;
4). Again in 1994, we wanted to construct a footpath from Block 1 to the Hougang CC – the CCC did not even respond;
5). In 1995, the CCC refused to support construction of sitting corners at Blks 334, 317, 1 and 3.
These projects cost nearly $450,000. We went ahead to use Town Council’s funds for the benefit of residents. So, is the PAP really always here for you? Maybe they are always here to jam you!”
Despite these obstacles, the Hougang Town Council went ahead to use its own funds to erect 33 covered linkways from bus-stops to blocks, and between blocks. You can see these linkways at Hougang Ave 2, 3, 5 and 7, and at Hougang Central. This cost us about $1.5 million. We have also added playgrounds and 2 soccer courts, and the senior citizens’ fitness corner at Hougang neighbourhood park. Many of you may know of a footpath leading from Blks 363 to 334, which many residents use to go from their blocks to Upper Serangoon Road. This is on State Land. Despite the Town Council’s request, the government refused to construct a proper footpath for residents. So Mr Low got approval to construct it himself, and he is still paying a licence fee for the path every year!"
However, there appears to be a change of tack by grassroots organizations in opposition-held Aljunied, Hougang and Punggol East recently.
The media have reported that the grassroots organizations, which belong to the People’s Association (PA), in these wards are planning to submit 17 upgrading projects to MND’s CIPC for approval. They include covered walkways, barrier-free access and fitness corners. The CCCs even bothered to consult Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC).
Sylvia Lim, chairman of both AHPETC and WP, said, “We welcome the intended submission of the projects for approval, and look forward to providing the TC’s professional input on the projects for the benefit of our residents.”"
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Community project funding must go through ‘advisers’ « Editorial « TR EMERITUS
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