NEA takes over public cleaning

The National Environmental Agency (NEA) will be taking over the cleaning of all public areas, except for public housing estates, which will remain under the domain of town councils.

NEA will be integrating the cleaning functions of public areas under a new Department of Public Cleanliness (DPC) within NEA.

The current arrangement sees NEA overseeing the cleaning of public areas such as roads, while water agency PUB takes charge of cleaning drains, the National Parks Board takes care of parks, and the Land Transport Authority cleans footpaths.

All these functions will start being integrated into the new department's domain in phases, beginning April 1, to end by 2016.

The high number of public cleaning contracts, currently at 29, is also to be reduced through contract integration to achieve higher operational efficiencies, Ms Fu said.

The performance of contractors will be supervised through web-based camera systems monitoring litter prone areas, she added.

DPC will also be setting up a call centre for public feedback. Members of the public can call 1800-600-3333 or email cleanliness@nea.gov.sg from April 1 onwards.

Ms Fu added that cleaning firms may have to be licensed in the future, as it would set minimum standards that companies must adhere to.

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