A TOTAL of 26 food stall operators at the Air Itam Market Annex Food Court will soon have a grease trap installed at their respective stalls to prevent blockage at the main public sewer system.
Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng Soon Siang told a press conference today that the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has approved RM260,000 for upgrading works, including the 26 grease traps.
“The grease traps are essential in collecting and reducing the amount of fats, oils and greases (FOGs) entering the main sewers.
“With each stall having its own grease trap, waste will be collected in the trap, allowing only wastewater to flow into the centralised sewer system.
“Thank you MBPP for this special initiative which is deemed important to prevent drain blockages, bad odours and potential pest infestation,” Ng said during the media conference at the food court today.
The other upgrading works include cleaning the drainage system, installing oil traps, constructing new drains for the oil traps, and others.
Works officially started on Nov 6 and are expected to be completed in three months or less.
It was learned that the food court has four halal and 22 non-halal stalls.
MBPP councillor Tan Soo Siang said businesses are not affected as ongoing works are only carried out during the night until early morning.
In a related development, Ng revealed ongoing discussions with the relevant authorities to carry out similar upgrading works at the neighbouring Air Itam wet market.
“The sellers at the wet market have collectively disagreed with the proposal due to concerns about relocating to a temporary site, which may affect their businesses.
“There are not many empty sites here in Air Itam to relocate the sellers temporarily, but we hope to come up with a plan soon to accommodate the needs of everyone,” he added.
Besides the Air Itam Market Annex Food Court, other places, such as the La Salle temporary food hawker site, Batu Lanchang Market Food Court, Chowrasta Market, and the Padang Brown Food Court, have undergone upgrading works.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Law Suun Ting