Works to construct a single-storey steel structure for Tiong Hua Road Market hawkers has started.
SIBU (Aug 24): Works to construct a single-storey steel structure to temporarily house Tiong Hua Road Market hawkers at Jalan Chew Siiong Hiong here, costing more than RM400,000, has started, said Councillor Albert Tiang.
According to the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) Market and Petty Traders Standing Committee chairman, the four-month project is scheduled for completion before year-end. These hawkers are currently trading under canopies at a temporary site behind Nur Sejahtera Clinic, Jalan Chew Siik Hiong.
“The project has started about two weeks ago and when completed in four months, it will house the existing 34 stalls,” Tiang said yesterday.
He was responding to Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang’s query on the status of renovating and relocating Tiong Hua Market permanently to the site opposite Doremart Supermarket at Jalan Chew Siik Hiong.
Chang had said she received feedback and was surprised to find no information on the proposed construction on SMC’s website.
Tiang explained that the surge in Covid cases and ensuing movement restriction had hindered the design and tender process.
However, with the implementation of Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP) in Sarawak, the council had informed the contractor to commence the project which does not involve any pilling works as Jalan Chew Siik Hiong sits on an elevated concrete structure, he said.
He added that the temporary market would not cause traffic congestion when completed as there is an existing access road in the area.
Tiong Hua Road market was sealed off after cracks were found in the five-decade old building.
Tiang also informed that during a full council meeting, it was decided that the ‘unfit structure’ would be demolished to make way for temporary parking bays instead of being rebuilt as the location has inadequate parking bays.
“If this market is rebuilt with inadequate parking lots, it would not be able to attract people to frequent the market. That is our concern,” he explained further.
He added that Sibu Urban Renewal Committee chairman Dato Chieng Buong Toon has talked about Bukit Assek Redevelopment Plan, where the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) has plans for a wet market in the area.