THE Penang government plans to have more green areas, especially in the city enclave, in view of the climate change, says state Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.
According to Jagdeep, who represented Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow during the ground-breaking ceremony to upgrade the linear park at Cenotaph in Esplanade, green parks or spaces would help to address climate change.
“That’s why we are proud to witness the ground-breaking of this place as we look forward to having more trees to protect the environment.
“It is important for us to have a sustainable environment and more green lungs in the state,” he said in his speech during the ground-breaking ceremony of the linear park in Esplanade.
Jagdeep said the overall cost of the project was RM1.5 million, which would be borne by the state, Think City and Yayasan Hasanah.
“This project is part of the North Seafront Public Realm Improvement Programme as the works are expected to start end of this month and are scheduled to be completed by early November this year.
“We look forward to its completion,” he said.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, who was present, said that the project would serve as an important catalyst for the state.
“We aim to improve the infrastructure of the area as well as to attract the public to the park once works are completed,” he said.
Among those present were state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, state assemblymen, and Think City Sdn Bhd general manager Hamdan Abdul Majeed.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian