Maintain public toilets to uphold image of BSB

KEEPING public toilets clean should be a high priority to prevent the spread of H1N1 and uphold the good image of Bandar Seri Begawan, the chairman of the Municipal Board said yesterday.

"Bandar Seri Begawan is renowned for its beautiful landscape and cleanliness of its environment. Such image should be upheld and enhanced to attract more visitors to the city centre and to give a very good first impression to the outside world," said Pg Hj Mohd Ali Pg Hj Othman.

"The first obvious place a tourist would search for is a public toilet. Such amenities have to be well maintained for them, so it is our utmost priority to ensure the cleanliness of our toilets," he told The Brunei Times on the sidelines of a contract signing ceremony to privatise the cleaning of public toilets in the capital.

He added that constantly cleaning toilets is also one of the country's steps to ensure that the spread of H1N1 is "kept at a minimum".

Pg Hj Mohd Ali said there is a need to privatise the cleaning of public toilets as neighbouring countries which have privatised the cleaning of public toilets have shown that the cleanliness levels increased dramatically due to the quality of services provided by the private firms in maintaining the toilets.

"The feedback has been very positive, and so we want to apply it here in Brunei. Hopefully, with this privatisation, our toilets will be much cleaner and well-maintained than before for public use," said the chairman.

"This is exactly how we want to see the capital as we prepare ourselves for the future development of Bandar Seri Begawan under its Development Masterplan."

"In order to upgrade the status of BSB as a city, the cleanliness of its public toilets have to follow suit," he added.

The cleanliness project of seven public toilets in the capital has been handed over to local company Sa Glosilite Enterprise.

The company will ensure the cleanliness of the seven toilets under the Municipal Board's jurisdiction, including toilets at Jln Residency food stall, Kianggeh market, ground and first floor of the multistorey car park, the car park in Jln Bendahara, Gadong wet market, Tamu Selera food stall opposite the church and at the 1st and 7th floor of the Bumiputera Commercial Complex.

"We have about 20 cleaners ready to work as soon as our operations begin next week, and we will be responsible for maintaining cleanliness of toilet facilities beginning February 15," said Pg Hj Janudin Pg Hj Jaya, owner of Sa Glosilite Enterprise.

"Aside from the daily tasks of maintaining the cleanliness of the toilets, our company will also be providing the necessities for public use, such as soap, hand sanitisers, toilet paper and such. Furthermore, we will also deal with minor damages of the facilities should they require immediate repairing," he added.

Pg Hj Janudin said that besides contributing to the capital's cleanliness, it would also provide employment opportunities for locals.

"We are hiring locals, so this is a good job opportunity for those looking for jobs," he said.

Previously, under the Municipal Department, the cleaning of these toilets would cease at 5pm. Sa Glossilite Enterprise will carry out the cleaning until the buildings are closed, with some being open until 12am.

Effective February 15, a 20-cent charge will be imposed for every entry and a receipt will be given by the company.

The Municipal Department also urged the public to cooperate in maintaining the public toilets.

The Brunei Times