Buangkok Green residents dare not walk in areas where rats 'zoom across footpaths frequently'
Buangkok Green residents are afraid to venture into certain parts of their estate because of rats.
Stomper Ver shared a video of the rodents scurrying near a waste bin beside a Housing Board block at night.
"Despite residents' calls to Ang Mo Kio Town Council, no actions were taken to solve the rat problem around the void decks, playground and gardens at Blocks 987A to 988C," said the Stomper.
"Residents do not dare to walk in these areas in the early morning and evening. Rats zoom across footpaths frequently.
"This is a result of no action from the town council monitoring their pest control contractor."
In response to a Stomp query, a spokesperson fo the Ang Mo Kio Town Council said it is aware of the rodent issue in the neighbourhood.
"Our pest control team has conducted a thorough inspection to identify active burrows, carried out intensive treatment, and sealed any burrows found. In addition, we will continue to implement weekly rodent control measures in the area," said the spokesperson.
"To prevent rodent infestation, our conservancy team has stepped up efforts by deploying rodent traps around the vicinity. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and we will take all necessary measures to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of our estates.
"We would like to take this opportunity to remind residents and F&B beverage operators to dispose of their food waste properly to prevent attracting rodents. We seek the co-operation of the community in keeping our shared spaces clean and pest-free."
Last year, over 1,000 enforcement actions for rat-related lapses were jointly taken by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Food Agency against premises owners or occupiers, including operators of trade premises, shopping malls, and food establishments, said NEA in a Feb 14 news release.
Nearly half of the enforcements were for poor refuse management.
From April 1, NEA will tighten enforcement against premises managers and owners for rat-related lapses in three key areas:
- poor refuse management and housekeeping practices that create conditions favourable for the propagation of rats
- defects in refuse handling facilities, such as bins and bin centres, that can potentially serve as entry points for rats
- the presence of rat nests
Premises managers and owners who fail to practise proper refuse management or create conditions favourable to the harbouring or propagating of rats are liable to be punished with a fine of up to $20,000 or imprisonment for up to 3 months or both for a first offence under the Control of Vectors and Pesticides Act.
For a first offence under the Environmental Public Health (Public Cleansing) Regulations, premises owners can be fined up to a maximum of $1,000 and to a further fine not exceeding $100 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.
